Cigarette coupon scam

Cigarette coupon scam
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- New Castle police say a former cashier and a gas station owner are wanted in a cigarette coupon scam.
Michelle Omer, 44, formerly of 810 Cunningham Ave., New Castle, and Hamed "Tony" Mosat, 32, of Mahoning Avenue, Warren, each face charges of theft by deception, conspiracy to commit theft and receiving stolen property. District Justice Melissa Amodie has issued warrants for their arrests.
Police said the charges stem from $3,447.60 in cigarette coupons missing from the Beer For Less store in Cascade Galleria.
Police said register receipts that show she sold large quantities of cigarettes to Mosat who paid for about1/3 of each purchase with coupons, which can't be found.
Man gets arraignment
SHARON, Pa. -- Police arrested Robert D. Shannonhouse around 8:40 a.m. Wednesday on Florence Street after a traffic stop when they found suspected crack cocaine and marijuana in his car. Shannonhouse, 31, of George Street in Farrell, was arraigned on charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.He was freed on $5,000 bond.
Board debates increase
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The Lawrence County Housing Authority Board is debating whether to make a proposed manager salary increase dependent on favorable job reviews. The authority is considering giving a $750 increase to four building managers every year for 10 years. Robert Evanick, executive director, said the increase is meant to make their salaries comparable to a fifth manager who has worked for the housing authority for 15 years. Evanick did not know the exact salaries of each employee, but said the four managers who would benefit from the plan have all worked for the authority for less than three years and started at the base salary of $20,000 per year. The fifth manager's salary is much higher, he said. The $750-increase would be in addition to any other salary increases the managers receive and would go into effect next year, he said.
Board member Larry Costa said he does not want to make the $750 increases dependent on favorable job reviews as proposed by Evanick. Others disagreed saying they thought the job reviews were needed. They expect to vote on the matter Nov. 14.
Police arrest three
GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Police arrested three 20-year-old men accused of robbing the Last Minit Mart at 62 W. Main St. at gunpoint around 12:40 a.m. today. Police said the three, two from Coal Bank Road and one from Transfer, entered the store wearing ski masks and using handguns that turned out to be pellet guns. They forced the clerk to give them money from the cash register and then ran out in different directions. Police said they tracked down all three within an hour and recovered the money. The three were in borough jail this morning and faced arraignment today on robbery, theft, receiving stolen property and criminal conspiracy charges.
Man put on probation
MERCER -- A man was placed on probation in several crimes committed as a juvenile.
Common Pleas Judge Michael Wherry placed Andrew Wylie III, 22, of Elm Street, Sharon, on five years' probation and ordered $300 restitution in four cases, which were consolidated. The offenses, all of which occurred in 1997 in Greenville, included burglary of the Jules Tavern on Ohl Street and the theft of two cars and a back pack.
Although Wylie was only 17 when he committed the crimes, the law allowed him to be charged as an adult because he fled the state and was not apprehended until recently, said assistant Prosecutor Brian Farrone. Also sentenced: Anthony Kuchmak Jr., 22, Orangeville Road, Hermitage, one to three years in prison for possession of a handgun which was prohibited, because he has a previous conviction for retaliation against a witness.
Woman arrested
SHARON, Pa. -- Police arrested Jill R. Martin, 29, of Knox, Pa., on a charge of endangering the welfare of a child, accusing her of leaving her 2-year-old son in a locked car in a parking lot on West Connelly Boulevard for about 30 minutes Friday. Martin turned herself in at the police station at 11:40 a.m. Wednesday after learning a warrant had been issued for her arrest. Martin told police she was gone 15 minutes. She was freed on her own recognizance.