Port Allegany couple arraigned on theft allegations

A Port Allegany couple has been jailed on allegations that they bought items including soft drinks, alcohol, gas, cigarettes and snacks using a credit card they found.

James S. Severance, 40, and Emily M. McCall, 29, both of 9795 Route 155 South, Port Allegany, were arraigned before District Judge Richard Luther.

They are charged with identity theft and access device fraud, first-degree misdemeanors; theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and theft of property lost or misplaced, second-degree misdemeanors.

According to the criminal complaints, on Dec. 17, a man went to the Port Allegany Police Station to report that he lost a credit card and that his monthly credit card statement showed purchases in Port Allegany that he did not make.

The officer found surveillance footage from one of the locations where the card was used and was able to identify Severance, as the officer had encountered him before, court records stated.

In an interview with police, Severance said that he found the credit card on the floor of a Sheetz convenience store. He and his girlfriend, McCall, went to Kwik Fill and used the card twice: once to purchase gas and a second time to pick up $90.07 worth of items. Then, they went to the Fine Wines & Good Spirits store and purchased $55.09 worth of alcohol and Sheetz to purchase $40 worth of food.

Severance told police that he and McCall tried to use the card in Olean, N.Y., the next day, but it would not work, so he threw it in the trash at a store there.

McCall told police that she and Severance did it because “they were down on their luck not having any money,” the complaint stated.

Severance and McCall are each in McKean County Jail in lieu of $30,000 bail. Both have preliminary hearings set for Monday.

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Port Allegany man facing assault allegations

A Port Allegany man is facing allegations that he assaulted a woman while he was intoxicated.

Garrett Trimm, 20, of 21 N. Pine St., Port Allegany, was arraigned before District Judge William Todd on a charge of simple assault, a second-degree misdemeanor; and summary charges of harassment, disorderly conduct, public drunkenness and criminal mischief.

The criminal complaint states that at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Port Allegany Borough Police were dispatched for a report of an assault on North Pine Street. The alleged victim told police that Trimm wanted to get inside her house, but she told him no and said he needed to leave.

Trimm, who was under the influence of alcohol at the time, grabbed her by both arms, threw her to the ground and punched her numerous times in the head, leaving red marks, bruises and bumps, according to the complaint. He then allegedly went into the yard and began to throw items all over and hit her vehicle with items.

Police located him in just a few minutes at the Kwik Fill and arrested him, the complaint stated.

Trimm was committed to McKean County Jail in lieu of $7,500 bail, and a preliminary hearing is set for April 20.