Man questioned in elderly woman's beating death

Police investigating the beating death of an elderly Beaver County woman spent much of Thursday questioning a 25-year-old Ambridge man whom they described as a "person of interest."

Justin Vandermallie came to the station at 10:30 a.m., accompanied by his mother, after police put the word out that they were seeking to question him in the Christmas Eve killing of Anna Rocknick, 94, of May Street, Harmony Township, police said. He has not been named a suspect or charged in the case.

Township police Chief Jack Lively said four people called police Wednesday night and yesterday morning with Vandermallie's name. Lively said that earlier this week, township police asked local informants and officers from other area police departments to compile a "top 10" list of people who might be involved in the crime.

"His name was on the list," Lively said. "This person has a history of drugs, assault, burglary, theft."

Police found Vandermallie's black Chevrolet pickup at the Ambridge Foodland and had it towed to the station with Vandermallie's permission. Lively said it appears to have damage to the side mirror that corresponds with damage found on a truck near the crime scene.

He said Vandermallie spent yesterday being questioned by Beaver County detectives and was being held in the Beaver County Jail on unrelated charges.

There was a warrant for his arrest on charges of forgery and receiving stolen property out of Economy, Harmony Township police said.

Vandermallie also was out on bail on a robbery charge out of Sewickley, Harmony Township police said.

Rocknick died Saturday several hours after being beaten by an intruder who broke into her home and rifled through her belongings looking for cash as she slept, police said.

The man woke Rocknick when he entered her bedroom, she told police. After she told him she had no money, the man hit her with a pry bar, police said. She was hit seven times in the head, according to Beaver County Coroner Wayne Tatalovich.

Rocknick told Lively she did not recognize her attacker. Lively said he thinks the robber was a drug addict looking for cash to help feed his habit.

Police found a crow bar in a neighbor's yard and are testing it to see if it was used in the crime.