Police arrest alleged intoxicated driver after crash

DOWNINGTOWN >> Police arrested an alleged drunk driver who literally hit the wall.

Downingtown police said Ayanna J. Jernigan, 45, of Downingtown, allegedly drove her vehicle into the concrete wall around the Maxwell’s Hardware sign in the 400 block of Brandywine Avenue in East Caln just before midnight on May 13. When officers arrived, Jernigan was reportedly slumped over, semiconscious, and reportedly had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from her breath. Police said Jernigan spoke with a slow slurred speech, had glassy blood shot eyes and could not say where she was coming from. Jernigan is charged with driving under the influence, according to the report.

Assault and drug charges

Downingtown police said Dawan Marquise Hightower, 32, of Coatesville, was arrested at the Downingtown Train Station at 150 West Lancaster Avenue at 11:45 p.m. on May 8. The train had been placed in lockdown and police said Hightower reportedly attempted to break through to exit. In the process, police said Hightower allegedly assaulted two Amtrak employees while he was trying to disembark and reportedly hand over a packet to someone waiting at the station. Upon police arrival, Hightower was arrested and taken into custody for aggravated assault, simple assault, disorderly conduct, harassment and multiple drug charges.

Theft

Downingtown police said Hibachi Steak House employees reported the theft of a samurai sword from one of their display cases on May 6 from the business at 985 East Lancaster Avenue in East Caln. The sword is worth between $100 and $200.

Downingtown police received a report at 7:15 p.m. on May 2 that a green Lucky Warthog scooter was stolen from the rear porch of a residence in the 200 block of Stuart Avenue. The scooter was last seen at 5 p.m. on May 1. The scooter was purchased at a garage sale for $300. Police ask that anyone with information on the scooter contact the Downingtown police.

Public drunkenness

Downingtown police said Jason J. Sheptak, 31, of Phoenixville, was observed reportedly staggering along the sidewalk in the unit block of East Pennsylvania Avenue just before 1 a.m. on May 7. When stopped by an officer, they said Sheptak reportedly had an extremely strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his person, along with a slurred speech. Sheptak was taken into custody for public drunkenness, according to the report.

Assault

Downingtown police said William M. Miller, 38, of Downingtown, was taken into custody in the 200 block of Norwood Road just before 1 a.m. on May 7. Miller, who was reportedly intoxicated, was arrested for assault after being involved in a physical incident. Miller is charged with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct, according to the report.

Fighting

Downingtown police were dispatched to Kerr Park in the unit block of East Pennsylvania Avenue for a report of kids fighting at 2:50 p.m. on May 10. Two boys, ages 13 and 14, both of Downingtown, were cited

for disorderly conduct for engaging in a fight.

Warrants

Downingtown police said Maria Manzanet, 53, of Coatesville, was taken into custody at the Home Depot at 965 East Lancaster Avenue in East Caln at 10:30 a.m. on May 12 for an outstanding active criminal warrant out of Parkesburg.

Downingtown police

said Hector William Martinez, 21, of Downingtown, was taken into custody in the 100 block of Brandywine Avenue at 11:30 a.m. on May 2 on outstanding warrants. An off-duty officer recognized Martinez as he was driving through the area and contacted on duty officers. Officers checked the area and Martinez was still standing on the sidewalk when they arrived.

Downingtown police said Tyler Robert Hanaway, 23, of Lancaster, came to the Downingtown Police Station to turn himself in on an outstanding bench warrant at 6:15 p.m. on May 2. Hanaway was turned over to the constables, who transported him to Chester County Prison.

Trespassing

Downingtown police

said Jaden Bedwell, 20, of Glen Mills, and Evan Anderson, 21, of Kennett Square, were located inside the abandoned Sonoco Paper Mill property at 300 Brandywine Avenue at 3:40 p.m. on May 10. The property is well marked “No Trespassing.” Both Bedwell and Anderson were cited for criminal trespassing and escorted off of the property.