The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

July 2, 2009

UPDATE: Woman jailed prior to getting to federal prison

By Joe Pinchot

HERMITAGE — A Hermitage woman was supposed to fly to Texas Monday to begin serving a federal prison sentence. Instead, she was locked up in Mercer County Jail for having allegedly participated in the theft of Ralph Lauren clothing.

In addition to the local charges, a federal judge in Pittsburgh has issued a warrant for Stacie M. Hickman’s arrest that will keep her in jail until she can be released to U.S. marshals to serve her federal sentence.

Ms. Hickman, 39, of 2095 Mary St., pleaded guilty Sept. 19, 2007, to a charge of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine.

She drove her fiancé, James R. Sed, 40, formerly of Hermitage, to two deals in April 2006 in Sharon and Brookfield in which he bought crack from Mark A. Grannison, 49, of 290 Orchard St., Sharon.

Ms. Hickman was sentenced April 22 to 1 year plus 1 day in a federal prison; Sed was convicted of four charges and was sentenced to 10 years, 10 months in prison; and Grannison pleaded guilty to conspiracy and was sentenced to 5 years in prison.

Hermitage police charged Ms. Hickman with misdemeanor retail theft and conspiracy to commit retail theft after a June 23 incident at Macy’s in the Shenango Valley Mall.

According to police, George Crawford Jr., 30, whose last known address was 206 Spearman Ave., Farrell, stole $803 in clothing at 10:58 a.m. from Macy’s and ran to a sport-utility vehicle. The female driver opened the door for him and she sped off, police said.

The SUV was registered to Ms. Hickman, police said.

Ms. Hickman told police she was at Macy’s with Crawford and a woman. They wanted a ride there, and she allowed the woman to drive because she did not feel well, police said.

Ms. Hickman told police she stayed in the back seat of the SUV with the woman until Crawford returned, and the woman drove away fast and reckless, police said. She said she knew Crawford had stolen the clothing because he was being chased by two people, police said.

Macy’s employees told police that only one man and one woman were in the SUV, and they identified Ms. Hickman and Crawford from photographic lineups, police said.

In a letter to District Judge Ronald E. Antos, Farrell, which was dated Tuesday and sent from Mercer County Jail, Ms. Hickman said the charges were “not true.” “The only mistake I made was letting George Crawford use my Saturn Vue to get away,” she said.

District Judge Lorinda L. Hinch, Mercer, arraigned Ms. Hickman and sent her to jail for failing to post bond. Ms. Hickman’s preliminary hearing is set for 2:30 p.m. July 29 before Antos.

Antos issued an arrest warrant for Crawford on charges of retail and theft and conspiracy. Crawford is in Allegheny County Jail on other charges.

Ms. Hickman told police the woman who was with Crawford asked for bond money June 23 because he had been arrested in Pittsburgh for shoplifting, police said.

Text Only
Local News
  • Recycling program a bit too popular

    The  county’s effort at going green by encouraging recycling in rural areas has been a tremendous success by most accounts, but isn’t without a few glitches. In Wilmington Township, residents often only have a window of a few minutes to get cardboard recyclables in before the bin is full, prompting a discussion among Mercer County Commissioners Wednesday morning.

    May 25, 2012

  • District will tap reserve fund

    Reynolds school directors plan to fill a $374,567 hole in the 2012-2013 budget with money from the district’s fund balance.

    May 25, 2012

  • School board mulls change to sports chaperone policy

    In order to comply with the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, the Sharpsville Area School Board is looking to adjust a chaperone policy it implemented six months ago.

    May 25, 2012

  • Afternoon crash hurts 3 high school students

    Three Jamestown High School students were injured – one seriously – when their pickup left a roadway in southwest Crawford County and crashed into a tree Tuesday afternoon.

    May 24, 2012

  • Board sells some, holds some

    Brookfield Board of Education members voted Tuesday to accept only the bids for the elementary school and the middle school, for a total of $97,050.
    The decision came after an hour-long executive session.

    May 24, 2012

  • Levey: Kohl’s project died with school vote

    Stripped of the necessity of voting for a tax incremental finance plan by Hermitage School Board’s unwillingness to participate, Mercer County commissioners said Wednesday they would like to meet with school board and Hermitage city officials to discuss other ways they can help Levey and Co. build a retail development in the city.

    But Levey spokeswoman Jeffrey A. Mills said there is nothing to discuss.

    May 24, 2012

  • Warden expects hectic season at county jail

    With the unofficial start of summer just a few days away, Mercer County Jail officials are preparing for a busy season.

    May 23, 2012

  • Levey officially drops TIF request

    Levey & Co. has officially ended its request for a tax incremental financing plan to build a retail development anchored by a Kohl’s department store.

    May 23, 2012

  • Grant will pay to fix 12-15 homes



    The City of Farrell will be able to fix up about a dozen homes in the city thanks to a $300,000 HOME grant from the state.

    May 23, 2012

  • Hard budget choices yet to come


     
    Hermitage School Board has been fortunate in many ways during the economic downturn that has been so hard on many other schools.

    May 23, 2012