The Monessen police department was out in force early Thursday, rounding up 10 people wanted on warrants dating as far back as 2007.
The warrants came from local magisterial district judges and common pleas court judges, Monessen police Chief John Mandarino said.
Monessen police were assisted by Rostraver Township, Charleroi Regional and Donora police, as well as the Westmoreland and Washington county sheriff's departments.
Three of the men arrested ended up being charged with drug violations after police found them in possession of or cultivating illegal substances.
Those arrested:
• Ronald David Harrison II, 39, of 621 Reed Ave., Monessen, was picked up on a warrant stemming from an alleged May 28 chase involving the Westmoreland County Sheriff's Department and two bench warrants obtained by Westmoreland County Domestic Relations.
As police surrounded a home at 905 Leeds Ave. just after 8:30 a.m., they noticed four marijuana plants in a small garden behind the house, police said.
Monessen police charged Harrison on Thursday with possession of a controlled substance and manufacture, delivery, possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance.
He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Joseph Dalfonso in Monessen on the chase charges and placed in Westmoreland County Prison in lieu of $25,000 cash bond.
He is scheduled for arraignment on the drug charges 9 a.m. Friday before Dalfonso.
• Anthony Harriston, no age listed, of Monessen was picked up on a warrant issued by Dalfonso for a theft case.
As police took Harriston into custody at his home, they allegedly found him in possession of 50 stamp bags of suspected heroin. A search of Harriston's bedroom revealed four bricks – 200 stamp bags – of suspected heroin and a gun, police said. He was charged Thursday with two counts each of possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.
He was placed in the Westmoreland County Prison.
• Daryel Eugene Carpenter, 63, of Monessen was picked up on a bench warrant issued by Magisterial District Judge Charles Christner in West Newton related to an April retail theft case.
He was placed in the Westmoreland County Prison in lieu of $300 bond, according to court records.
• Duayne Aldrich, 46, of Monessen was picked up on a warrant issued by Dalfonso for failure to pay fines in relation to four cases in 2007 and another in 2008. All summary cases, two were on harassment charges, two for criminal mischief charges and one for a traffic case. He was placed in the Westmoreland County Prison, court records show.
• James Gaul Jr., 27, of Belle Vernon was picked up on a Fayette County bench warrant. Gaul was found guilty of public drunkenness after he failed to appear for his summary trial and owed $230.46 in costs and fees, court documents show. Perry Township Magisterial District Judge Richard Kasunic II sent Gaul to the Fayette County Jail in lieu of bond.
• Angel Adkins, 44, of Fayette City was picked up on a warrant issued by Dalfonso stemming from an alleged retail theft at Walmart in April.
Dalfonso released her on a nonmonetary bond. She is scheduled to appear before Dalfonso for a preliminary hearing 11:30 a.m. Oct. 10, court documents show.
• Sharae Majors, 34, of Monessen was arrested on a bench warrant issued by Dalfonso after failing to appear in court on two summary charges.
She was charged in August 2012 with disorderly conduct and faced compulsory school attendance charges filed by Monessen City School District on Nov. 15, 2013.
She was placed in the Westmoreland County Prison and faces summary trials before Dalfonso on Nov. 4 and 5, according to court records.
• Robert Welch, 36, of Monessen was picked up on a bench warrant issued by Westmoreland County Judge Debra Pezze after he failed to appear for a plea court hearing June 11.
Monessen police charged Welch with receiving stolen property related to a March 10 incident.
• James Kozen, 52, of Monessen was wanted on a bench warrant issued by Westmoreland County Judge Richard McCormick Jr. in 2008.
Kozen failed to appear for an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition hearing on charges of accidents involving damage to attended vehicle/property, recklessly endangering another person, reckless driving and careless driving.
Monessen police filed the charges following a June 17, 2008, incident, according to court records.
The ARD program is designed for first-time, nonviolent offenders. Those who successfully complete the program can petition the court to have their criminal records cleared.
• Eric Adanis Hill, 36, of Monessen was picked up on an outstanding bench warrant issued by Washington County Judge Gary Gilman after Hill failed to appear for a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Mark Wilson in Monongahela. Wilson subsequently ordered Hill to stand trial in Washington County Court on five counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and one count of conspiracy.
While arresting Hill in Monessen, Washington County sheriff's deputies allegedly found him to be in possession of one bundle of suspected heroin and a number of unidentified pills.
Monessen police charged Hill on Thursday with two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
