Jefferson County sheriff
Charged: A Brilliant man was charged with kidnapping, domestic violence and endangering children Thursday after allegedly abducting an 8-month-old and fleeing at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour on state Route 7.
Austin Gheen, 28, 1209 Hukill St., was taken into custody at the Speedway at the corner and Third and Washington streets in Steubenville, deputies said.
After learning Wells township police had issued an Amber Alert for Gheen, deputies were able to locate his phone at the gas station.
Gheen told deputies he and the baby's mother had been arguing, so he started packing up the child's belongings to take the two of them to a relative's home in Wellsburg when he claims she started walking away from his house and didn't come back. He claimed he didn't want to leave the child alone while he went looking for her, so he decided to load the baby in the car and drive to Steubenville and then call her and tell her where to meet them.
Gheen allegedly left his vehicle in Mingo Junction and caught a ride to Steubenville with two other people who fled when officers arrived on scene, police said. The male currently isn't facing any charges but he has been cited for driving under suspension, deputies said.
Steubenville Police
Caught: Mall employees reported seeing a grey Ford Mustang doing doughnuts in the rear parking lot, Thursday. Police located the vehicle at the intersection of Mall Drive and Fort Steuben Drive and cited the driver, George W. Crimm III, 19, state Route 213, Steubenville, with expired plates.
Kid stuff: A caller reported a juvenile wearing gray sweats and a camouflage T-shirt throwing rocks at passing cars in the 1300 block of Belleview Boulevard, but police were unable to locate the offender. Twenty minutes later another call came in, this time on Pittsburgh Street but in addition to describing the juvenile's clothing the caller was able to identify him by his nickname. The officer responded to the youth's home where he said the youth was located wearing he same gray sweats and camouflage T-shirt reported by the motorists. He denied throwing the rocks, but his mother advised she would ensure he stayed in. Since no damage was reported he was given a strong warning and released to his mother.
Not nice: A Lovers Lane resident said she was outside with her children and some releatives when her neighbor came out and yelled profanities and racial slurs, then claimed she went inside and yelled them out her bedroom window, Thursday. The neighbor denied it, saying she was unsure what the woman was complaining about because she was inside her apartment sleeping, would never do or say such things and her windows were closed. Officers did point out her upstairs window was open.
Wrecked: A silver Kia Soul crashed into an AEP pole in the 500 block of Lawson Avenue, Thursday. The driver fled, but officers said they owner of the car from its temporary tags and were able to get a description of the missing driver from several people who saw her leaving. A few minutes later the owner of the vehicle called police to report it stolen.
Cited: Devaughn K. Pastore, New Waterford, DUS and failure to signal, after a two-car accident Thursday at Sunset Boulevard near Cunningham Lane. Pastore told police he was attempting a left out of the A&B Pharmacy lot onto Sunset when he was struck by an oncoming vehicle. Both vehicles were towed.
Concerned: A South Fourth Street resident whose childrens' mother lives with him said a man she's currently involved with told him he bought a gun and will kill anyone who walks through the door, Thursday. He said he had the man evicted from his residence, and believes the man made the comment in regard to the female possible seeing someone else. He said he's concerned for his own and his childrens' safety.
Angry: A man whose wife allegedly overdosed earlier this week was upset because he and his wife were asked to move out of his family's home because of it, Thursday.
Charged: A driver was cited and his female passenger taken into custody on drug charges following a traffic stop at the intersection of South Third and Adams streets, Thursday. Tiffany Six, 32, 730 N. Seventh St., Steubenville, was charged with possession of drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. The driver, Raymond Lombardi, no age or information available, was cited for failure to signal, police said.
Worrisome: A city resident said someone known to her has been following her and threatening her with bodily harm, Thursday.
Cited: Donna Dixon, 60, 501A Amonk Road, Wheeling, red light violation after a three-car accident at the John Scott-Mall Drive intersection.
Booked: Devin T. Barnes, 33, 544 Woodland Ave., Steubenville, domestic violence, Thursday.