Man Allegedly Taunted Police Dog

By Pattie Price


James Fullington, 48, of Newtown waived a hearing Thursday before Magisterial District Judge Lee Hunter on the charge he illegally taunted a police dog. In exchange for the waiver the charges of simple assault and harassment were withdrawn. The charges stem from an incident 8:30p.m., Dec. 26, at his home in the 100 block of Ridgewood Road.

According to the affidavit, Newtown Sgt. Gary Sebra responded to Fullington’s residence for a report of a domestic disturbance. He was met by the mother of his child who was intoxicated, crying and distraught. She said Fullington attacked her and attempted to strangle her.

At that point, Fullington exited the home and was yelling at his girlfriend. Police said Fullington was also intoxicated. They said both persons exhibited bloodshot eyes and a strong odor of alcohol.

Fullington was aggressive towards police and was warned that if his aggressive behavior continued, he would be Tased. Police had Fullington sit down for their protection and he ripped off his jacket, thrashed his arms aggressively, and clinched his fists at police.
Marple Officer Chris Barksdale, who responded as backup, told Officer Jeff Johnson that his Taser was malfunctioning. Johnson retrieved his K-9 partner Falco from his car and stood by while Fullington was thrashing with clenched fists yelling that his girlfriend’s drinking pissed him off.

Fullington aggressively approached Falco and was tormenting, teasing and taunting him screaming, “Let him bit me, I am not afraid of him.”

Barksdale and Sebra took Fullington to the ground and handcuffed him.

Fullington was remanded to the George W. Hill Prison when he was unable to post $50,000 bail. He is scheduled for a Feb. – arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

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Sandra Palladino, 55, of Marple, waived a hearing on the charge of theft by unlawful taking or disposition. In exchange for the waiver, the charge of receiving stolen property was withdrawn. The charges stem from an incident Sept. 13, at Onde Salon, 224. S. Newtown Street Road.

According to the affidavit, Newtown Detective John Newell said the store owner reported that while she was on vacation Aug. 19, one of her employees stole $640.

Police installed a camera in the office and when $380 was discovered missing from the owner’s purse, police caught Ms. Palladino on camera stuffing the money into her shirt.
Ms. Palladino initially denied stealing any money but when she was told that she was caught on tape she admitted stealing $380 but not the $640.

Ms. Palladino is scheduled for a Feb. – arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

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Damian Ricketts, 27, of Orange, NJ, was held for a Feb. – arraignment in Common Pleas Court on the charges of burglary, criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. The charges stem from an incident Nov. 5, at 23 Main Street, Newtown.

According to the affidavit, Newtown Detective John Newell said the resident reported that he had a guest, later identified as Ricketts who was a transvestite. The resident said Ricketts left his house around 12:30a.m. and the resident went to bed at 3 a,m.

When the resident awakened in the morning he discovered someone entered his residence and stole$200, his credit cards, a 19 inch television, and his cell phone. He also reported his pick up truck was missing.

The victim received a call from an unknown woman who asked him if he wanted to buy his truck back for $500 but in the meantime the victim received a call from Port Authority Officer Vega inquiring who was driving his vehicle, she said she had the truck stopped at the Lincoln Tunnel and discovered it was reported stolen.

Ricketts was the driver and taken into custody and transported to Port Authority Headquarters, He said he is a transgester prostitute and was hired by the victim through Craig’s List. He said he and an aquaintenance stole the victim’s keys and later returned to the victim’s residence and stole other merchandise.

Ricketts is scheduled for a Feb. – arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

* * *

Robert Yackel, 46, of Phoenixville waived a hearing on the charges of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. In exchange for the waiver, the charge of criminal conspiracy was withdrawn. The charges stem from an incident 4:44p.m., Nov. 2, at Mackey’s Pharmacy, 3537 West Chester Pike.

According to the affidavit, Newtown Officer Dean Hodges responded to a report of a man attempting to fill a fraudulent prescription for 90 Oxycontin pills. The prescribing doctor was contacted who said the prescription was fraudulent and told the pharmacist to contact police.
Yackel said he was a patient of the doctor and that his prescription was valid. The doctor said she last saw Yackel on Oct. 13,  when she wrote him a prescription for 90 Oxycontin pills.
Yackel admitted he made copies of the prescription and attempted to fill them.

Yackel is scheduled for a Feb. – arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

* * *

Louis Cocco, 21, of Newtown, plead guilty to disorderly conduct for an incident 5:48p.m., Aug. 22, at his residence, 10 Laurel Lane. In exchange for the guilty plea, the charges of simple assault and harassment were withdrawn.

According to the affidavit, Newtown Sgt. Gary Sebra said he responded to a report of a medical emergency when Nicholas Cocco, Louis’ brother, said his brother demanded the name of one of his friends, When Nicholas didn’t respond, he said Louis slapped him in the head, punched him, threw him into a bookcase and threw him to the floor. Nicholas stuffed paper towels down his throat. Nicholas’ mother called 911.

Police discovered the bookcase in disarray and remnants of paper towels on the floor,
Nicholas was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital for a knee injury.

Louis was located sitting in his underwear, on the kitchen floor, texting.

* * *

Charges of simple assault and accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles were withdrawn against Christina Cavone, 21, of Marple. The charges stem from an accident 11:10p.m., Oct. 24, at 3715 West Chester Pike.

Woman Faces Charges After Being Hit By Car

By Pattie Price


A 30-year-old Newtown, Pa. woman was stuck by a car just before 9 p.m., Friday night on West Chester Pike in front of Dunwoody Village.

Newtown Officer Joe Vandergrift said Ann Muller who lived at the HollyBrook condos was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, public drunkenness and pedestrians crossing at other than sidewalks.

Officers arrived on the scene and administered first aid to Ms. Mullen who was then transported by ambulance to a nearby landing zone where she was flown to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Vandegrift said the operator of the striking vehicle said Ms. Mullen crossed in front of her when she stepped down from the center divide. The driver said she had no time to apply her brakes so she took evasive action but unfortunately struck Ms. Mullen.

A Riddle Hospital Paramedic told police he found a vial filled with numerous different pills. The pills will be tested at Lima Regional Testing Facility.

A male aquaintenance of Ms. Mullen who ran across the pike moments before she was struck was also interviewed and was determined to be under the influence of a narcotic.

Inky For Sale Again?

KYW is reporting that the local white elephants The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News are up for sale again.

It is being alleged that Alden Global, a hedge fund that has a 30
percent stake in Philadelphia Media Network, the papers’ parent, is the
one pushing for the sale.

Alden Global owns the Journal Register Co. which is PMN’s main dead-tree competition.

Hat tip, Jim W.

Goodby Manny, Moe and Jack

Goodby Manny, Moe and Jack. 

Long-time Philadelphia institution Pep Boys  has been sold  to Gores Group, a private equity firm, it was announced today, Jan. 30.

The price for the auto parts giant was $15 per share, a 24 percent premium over Friday’s closing price. The enterprise value of the transaction is $1 billion.

Hat tip, Tom C.

Goodby Manny, Moe and Jack

 

GOP Bosses Tap Obama Supporter To Take On Casey

The Pennsylvania Republican establishment, Saturday, Jan. 28, overwhelmingly endorsed a Chester County reputed Obama-supporter to take on incumbent Democrat Bob Casey in this fall’s U.S. Senate race.

Steve Welch, a  businessman who has never held elected office, received 182 votes before the GOP State Committee. Coming in second was coal industry executive Tom Smith with 51 votes. Following them were  Washington County businessman and erstwhile 12th District congressional candidate Tim Burns, 47 votes; former state representative and gubernatorial candidate Sam Rohrer with 33 votes; and Dauphin County attorney and former Sen. Rick Santorum staffer Marc Scaringi with 6.

Candidates Laureen Cummings, Dave Christian, John Kensinger and Robert Allen Mansfield did  not submit their names for consideration.

Welch  was a candidate for the GOP nomination for the 6th Congressional Seat in 2010 until Jim Gerlach decided he would run for re-election. Welch’s endorsement was strongly pushed by Gov. Tom Corbett. It is being widely reported that Welch changed registration  to vote for Barack Obama in Pennsylvania’s 2008 primary election — which he is not denying — and  hosted a fundraiser or something for liberal Democrat congressman Joe Sestak in 2006.

The endorsement does not mean Welch will be the nominee. That will be decided at April 24’s primary election.

Hopefully, the good guys get on the same page and keep the vote from being split. Otherwise look for a lot of people voting third party this fall. What is the point of the Republican Party anyway? Graft for us rather than Dems?

In the meantime, Sam Rohrer is holding a meet and greet  8 Wednesday morning (Feb. 1)  at Parc Restaurant and Bistro 227 S. 18th St. Philadelphia, PA 19103;  and a town hall 7  that night at Knights of Columbus Mater Dei Hall,
327 N. Newtown Street Road, Newtown Square, PA 19073 in Newtown Township.

Bill Would Close ‘Delaware Loophole’

A bipartisan group of House members came together this week to announce legislation aimed at helping to create a fairer business climate in Pennsylvania.

A bill to close the “Delaware Loophole” has been introduced in the Pennsylvania House, according to State Rep. Jim Cox. HB 2150 will prohibit multi-state corporations to reduce their Pennsylvania tax liabilities by transferring the ownership of intangible assets to an affiliated company in Delaware.

The bill would only affect businesses that are taking advantage of the loophole for the sole purpose of avoiding paying taxes in Pennsylvania and would use revenue gained from closing the loophole to reduce Pennsylvania’s overall business tax burden, Cox said.