The Herald, Sharon, PA Published Thursday, August 8, 2002


4 police honored for drug arrests

By Melissa S. Finley
Herald Staff Writer

Four Southwest Mercer County Regional policemen were honored at Tuesday's police commission meeting for extra effort in combating the local drug problem.

In the first case, patrolmen Charles Rubano and Sherwood Raymer responded to a report of a burglary in progress when they noticed an air conditioner on the ground outside a window at 10:30 p.m. July 30 at 1131 Hamilton Ave., Farrell.

They entered through the window and discovered 10 ounces of crack cocaine with a street value of between $18,000 and $20,000, police said. Also found were two ounces of marijuana valued at $1,000 as well as $11,000, a 9mm handgun and drug paraphernalia, police said.

The 19-year-old burglary victim returned home to be arrested for drug possession with intent to deliver. He later posted a $50,000 bond and was released.

The burglar reportedly fled the scene as an alarm sounded upon the removal of the air conditioner, police said.

In the second case, patrolman, Kevin Wherry and Cpl. Andrew Thomas saw a suspicious vehicle in the 700 block of Idaho Street in Farrell at about 3 p.m. May 30.

The four people in the car seemed unfamiliar with the area and Thomas learned they were from Cleveland. They could not produce identification or identify the driver of the car.

Thomas was granted approval to search the vehicle from the rental car agency that owned it. The search uncovered 18 ounces of powdered cocaine valued at $12,000 or more and three ounces of crack cocaine valued at between $5,500 and $6,000, police said.

Thomas joined the department in 1993 and was promoted to corporal in 1999. Wherry was hired in 1999, as was Raymer. Rubano was promoted from part time to full time in 1999.

The four policemen received certificates of thanks and gift certificates from the commission.

"These men took one step beyond their normal call of duty," said Police Chief Joseph R. Timko. "This is just a small token of our thanks."



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