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Steubenville Police
Holiday spirits: A man who allegedly persisted in causing problems at the Trinity Medical Center West while under the influence of alcohol ended up in custody after at least three encounters with police, Saturday. Police said Robert Wilfong, 51, was booked into the Jefferson County jail on a disorderly conduct charge for his own safety. They said hospital officials had requested assistance getting him off the property early Saturday because he was "being disruptive and not allowing ... staff to treat him" and had signed himself out, refusing further treatment. Six hours later police were dispatched to state Route 7 near Franklin Avenue after a caller reported "a person walking on the roadway" and said they found Wilfong, who told them he wanted a ride to McDonald's. When Wilfong got in the cruiser police allegedly "smelled the odor of alcohol coming from (him) and he admitted downing a 24-ounce Four Loko" so they called an ambulance to "take him to the hospital to get the help he needs" and advised him to be cooperative this time. About 90 minutes later employees at the uptown Speedway said a male was refusing to leave the store, telling police he was "laying on the ground near the door harassing customers and would not leave after being asked (to do so) several times." Police said it was "immediately apparent" the man, identified as Wilfong, was intoxicated and when they asked him his name and address, told them they should already know because of his repeated interactions with them throughout the day. After identifying himself again, Wilfong told police he is homeless and doesn't have a working cell phone. Police allege Wilfong's speech was slurred, his gaze fixed and he "struggled to maintain his balance," and said he told them he "was withdrawing from alcohol." They asked him if he wanted to go to the hospital "and he stated (the staff) would be mad at him since he was there numerous times last night," but after they told him he was being cited for disorderly conduct police he told them he'd like to go to the hospital. Two hours later hospital personnel alleged Wilfong had been "threatening staff members and engaging in turbulent behavior," police said. Several nurses reported he became upset because they wouldn't let him leave "and began cursing at them and taunting them," so he was "temporarily restrained." The room where he was being treated was "in disarray, with items scattered on the floor including hospital equipment" that he'd been tethered to, police said, and he was arrested after employees told them he'd been "smoking marijuana and vapes" in the building and they don't want him to come back. Due to safety concerns police notified Municipal Judge John Mascio Jr. that Wilfong "does not have a home or relatives in the area, is currently dependent on alcohol and the fact that he was intoxicated presented a danger to himself or others" so Wilfong, whose last known address is Morgantown, was held over the weekend without bond.
Concerned parent: A city resident reported her daughter "has been arguing with her and threatening to harm her," Friday. She told police her daughter "causes a problem" if there's any noise in the house "and has been singing songs about harming her" and has accused her of "breaking glass cups and putting (the fragments) in her food." She said her daughter had previously been diagnosed as bipolar and thinks she needs medication. The daughter said mom "keeps yelling at her." She agreed to go to Trinity Medical Center West to speak with a doctor.
Changing story: A woman living on Belleview Boulevard told a passerby she has four children and no electricity and the passerby requested a welfare check, Friday. When police talked to the mother she said she only gets her kids every other week and this wasn't her week. Police told her the kids can't stay with her if she doesn't have electricity and she told them she has electricity and uses portable heaters.
Hit and miss: A city resident on his way to pick up a family member believed to have suffered a medical issue of some sort ended up wrecking his car, Friday. He told police he became disoriented and struck the curb. His wife said he'd been hospitalized days earlier but appeared to be fine before he left though a child who'd gone with him said his dad "had "stumbled to the car ... and was acting clumsy" prior to leaving their property. The child was OK, dad was taken to the hospital for treatment and the car was towed because it was not drivable "due to the condition of the front passenger wheeling being bent completely sideways," police said.
Unhappy mom: A woman told police she drove to a residence in Western Pennsylvania to get her teenage godchild "because the juvenile said she was afraid to be with her mother," Saturday. The child's mother didn't know what she'd done so police had her contact authorities in the Pennsylvania town to report it to them, then contacted the other police department to make sure they were aware of the circumstances. Later, mom came to the police station to get the child.
Theft charge filed: A woman is facing charges after she allegedly tried to leave Wal-Mart with chicken wings, an HDMI cord and a deodorant stick she hadn't paid for, Friday. Police said Leslie Angelo, 38, 105 Edward St., Mingo Junction, was charged with petit theft.
Flagged: A resident in the 1200 block of Oregon Avenue said she discovered someone "took her flagpole apart and threw (her) flag on the ground" overnight, Friday.
Cited: Russell Cochran, no age listed, 1509 Oregon Ave., Steubenville, assured clear distance ahead after allegedly striking a parked car in the 1400 block of Orchard Place. Also cited: Franklin Littlejohn, 36, 1010 Adams St., Steubenville, expired plate.