West Virginia State Police

Charged: Matthew D. Michael, no age given, Paden City, W.Va., threatening a terroristic act, Tuesday, for allegedly leaving a threatening message in the voice mail of a person involved in legal action involving him.

Steubenville Police

Multiple charges: A Weirton man is facing multiple charges after police allegedly found him in a dark-colored pickup truck that had been reported as stolen, Wednesday. Police said Harold R. Bittinger, 36, 101 Era St., was charged with receiving stolen property, possession of drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. They said the alert sounded after cameras picked up a stolen license plate in the intersection of North 7th and Washington streets on the truck, which “had a diamond-cut tool box (in) the bed and stickers all over the back window.” Within 20 minutes the vehicle was located at a downtown gas station and after running the VIN number, police said they determined the truck had been reported stolen from Hancock County. Police said they found drugs and drug paraphernalia in the truck.

Burning down the house: Police were asked to do a welfare check on a man who “had made several threats….that he was going to burn the house down” after an argument, Wednesday. Upon arrival police said they could smell gasoline from the outside and when he came to the door, “the smell intensified and the entire house smelled like someone had dumped gas all throughout the house.” The responding officer said the man “attempted to shut the door in (his) face,” but because of the smell of gasoline and concerns for his wellbeing he stuck his foot in the doorway and, given the exigent circumstances, “overpowered (the man) to get in the residence.” The male claimed he’d “been asleep all day and that he did not pour anything throughout the home,” but police said they spotted a blow torch on a counter. Due to the alleged threats of self-harm, police said the man was taken to the hospital for evaluation.

Driver beware: A man talked himself into police custody when he left his hotel room after being warned earlier that he needed to go there and stay quiet, Wednesday. Police said they cited Michael Harkness, 41, Spindale, N.C., for disorderly while intoxicated after he returned to the hotel lobby and was “cursing and yelling” at employees. They said Harkness was “highly intoxicated,” slurring his words and unsteady on his feet, and continued “to argue and cause a scene, disrupting new book-ins. Hotel staff wanted him removed from the property as did employees of the coffee shop where he’d allegedly caused problems earlier in the day.

Co-existing: A woman said she’s having issues with her ex, Wednesday. She said since they broke up he’s been showing up at events where he knows she’ll be and following her throughout town. She said nothing physical had taken place but she’s concerned something will.

Fraud: An Orchard Street resident who tried to use his Ohio EBT card at a grocery store said he found out it had a zero balance, Wednesday. He said when he called customer service he discovered someone had used it earlier in the week to make purchases in Pennsylvania and New York. The fraudster spent $304 without his authorization, he said.

Cited: Regina M. Sacco, 50, Martins Ferry, speeding;

Booked: Harley Petrey, 23, Richmond, probation violation, aggravated menacing, and criminal trespass, Wednesday; Christopher B. Sasak, 44, Adena, aggravated menacing and domestic violence, Monday; William Hoover, 56, 4168 Township Road 241, Toronto domestic violence, Tuesday.