A woman was in custody after Pittsburgh police say the car she was driving went off a road and hit the porches of at least two homes and a natural gas meter early Monday morning.

Four homes were evacuated as a precaution on Federal Street, a busy thoroughfare on the city's North Side, a few blocks from downtown.

VIDEO: Watch Jackie Schafer's report from Federal Street

Police arrested Lisa Williams, 44, of Millvale. She is facing charges of making false reports to law enforcement authorities, DUI, driving while operating privilege is suspended and risking a catastrophe.

Equitable Gas crews were called to fix the meter. City officials inspected the homes and deemed them safe to occupy. No injuries were reported, but residents are angry that this is the third time a car has crashed into homes along the 1500 block of Federal Street in the past few months.

Neighbors shared photos of previous incidents with Pittsburgh's Action News 4 and claimed they have been trying to get the attention of city leaders.

"We know all of our neighbors. They're good people, and we have worked hard to redevelop this part of the North Side. People are damaging our property," Lee Bannister said.

Bannister said he has been a victim of a hit-and-run incident that did $8,000 worth of damage to his new SUV.

Anthony Vearnon said he witnessed a previous crash on the street.

"A car came down Henderson and hit a tree, went over the curb and went halfway into a door," Vearnon said. "I don't feel safe walking on these sidewalks knowing that, at any time, someone could jump the curb and hit me or somebody's children."

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Neighbors: Cars keep hitting our homes, city won't help

June 30, 2014 6:52 AM Share with others:

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A block of homes were evacuated on the North Side early this morning after a vehicle crashed into a gas meter and sheared off the porches of four homes, city officials said.

The struck gas line started to leak after the 3 a.m. crash in the 1500 block of Federal Street and Equitable Gas crews were called out, according to Pittsburgh public safety spokeswoman Sonya Toler. Six homes had to be evacuated and there were no injuries. Gas service was restored shortly after 4 a.m. and residents were allowed to return to their homes, she said.

The driver, Lisa Williams, 44, of Millvale, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, making false reports to law enforcement, driving under suspension, and risking a catastrophe.

The city Fire Department inspected the homes and determined they were structurally sound, Ms. Toler said.

First Published June 30, 2014 12:00 AM

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Driver arrested after car strikes gas line, shears off porches on North Side

June 30, 2014 6:52 AM Share with others:

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A block of homes were evacuated on the North Side early this morning after a vehicle crashed into a gas meter and sheared off the porches of four homes, city officials said.

The struck gas line started to leak after the 3 a.m. crash in the 1500 block of Federal Street and Equitable Gas crews were called out, according to Pittsburgh public safety spokeswoman Sonya Toler. Six homes had to be evacuated and there were no injuries. Gas service was restored shortly after 4 a.m. and residents were allowed to return to their homes, she said.

The driver, Lisa Williams, 44, of Millvale, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, making false reports to law enforcement, driving under suspension, and risking a catastrophe.

The city Fire Department inspected the homes and determined they were structurally sound, Ms. Toler said.

First Published June 30, 2014 12:00 AM

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Vehicle strikes gas line, shears off porches on North Side

Dollar du diablo los porches Segundo clasificado

By: Chema De Juan Rivera

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Dollar du diablo los porches Segundo clasificado - Video

HOUSTON -

Woodland Heights is the kind of neighborhood where front porches are warm and welcoming, but they may be too welcoming -- thieves have become comfortable stealing from people just feet from their front door.

"That's what bothers me the most is that they came up on my porch to get it," said Marilyn Kowalski.

Three potted plants were stolen from the ledge of Kowalski's porch Thursday.

"I noticed one of my plants was gone," Kowalski said. "Then when I got home from work in the evening, I realized that there were two more gone."

It's seems like a petty crime but neighbors said it's become all too common in the Heights neighborhood.

"It happens all the time," said Dorie Kerr, who said the plants on her porch have been stolen several times, too. "If you have a nice plant and don't glue it down or bolt it down, there's a good chance if it's in a decent pot, somebody's gonna take it."

Kerr said someone recently tried and failed to steal from her porch again.

"I think it was too heavy," Kerr said. "So I think they dropped it and it cracked the pot. They just left it, toppled over."

Often, potted plants like Kerr's can cost upwards of $100.

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Thieves steal plants from porches in Woodland Heights

FARMINGTON Neighbors gathered on their porches Friday afternoon and watched flames consume a single-story home at 304 Concho Place in southeast Farmington.

The blaze destroyed two structures, including the house, and damaged two more structures.

Several neighbors expressed concern the fire would spread quickly under the dry conditions.

"I was doing some yard work, about a half hour ago, and I saw smoke," said Tim Higgins, a neighbor, at about 1:30 p.m. "I said, 'That's a structure fire, they need to get here.'"

Higgins said he lives three houses down from the fire but was concerned it could spread, with nothing to stop it but the San Juan River just south of the house.

Firefighters take down a wooden fence on Friday in the 300 block of Concho Place in Farmington. Farmington Fire Department assisted San Juan County Fire District 1, 6 and 14 in extinguishing the structure fire. (Jon Austria/The Daily Times)

Farmington Fire Department Battalion Chief Nick Mrzlak said his department was alerted to the fire at 12:55 p.m. Farmington assisted San Juan County District 6, District 1 and District 14 in extinguishing the flames.

Mrzlak said four structures were saved, including a trailer house belonging to Robert Montano.

Montano stood with firefighters and San Juan County Sheriff's Office deputies on the outskirts of the property. He said he has lived in a trailer house on the property for 12 years and has no insurance.

He said he saw the flames and ran to a nearby neighbor's house to call 911. After the call was placed, he ran back to the trailer to make sure his wife was safe.

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House destroyed in southeast Farmington blaze

Dollar du diablo Los Porches 21-06-2014

By: Chema De Juan Rivera

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Dollar du diablo Los Porches 21-06-2014 - Video

NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -

People in one neighborhood claim someone's swiping packages from their porches.

John Printer lives on Calvin Avenue in East Nashville. He said he saw a teenager following a UPS truck on a bike two months ago. Printer claims the boy picked up the package and pretended to knock on the door, then walked away with the package.

Then Painter said he saw the same teenager Monday afternoon, so he followed the alleged thief. The boy hit more than 10 porches on Calvin and Stratton avenues, according to Painter.

"It's like free shopping on the porch," he said.

Painter said he called the police twice but never filed an official report. Other neighbors on Calvin Avenue said they're also aware of package thefts. The allegations put them on edge.

The spree ignited debate on an online East Nashville forum. Residents pondered: To confront the thief? Or not?

Painter said in this case, a box of rope wasn't worth it.

"It's probably a bad idea to go up to him and say, 'Why are you stealing from my porch?'"

Painter said the teenager wore the same outfit both times he struck: a shirt with blue and white stripes with khaki shorts. The boy also sported a flat-top haircut. If you have any information, contact Metro police.

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Neighbors on edge after string of package thefts in East Nashville

Jose Luis Miln Los porches 14 Sta. City Colors
Jose Luis Miln Los porches 14 Sta. City Colors.

By: Jose Luis Miln Dopico

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Jose Luis Miln Los porches 14 Sta. City Colors - Video

porch_swing_and_bass.jpeg

Third Angle returns with Porch Music, Saturday, June 14, 2014. (Michael Reed)

Porch Music is back for a second year whenThird Angle New Music presents a walking musical tour of historic Irvington in northeast Portland. Five short, outdoor performances on five porches will tease Third Angle's 2014/15 season.

Audiences can stroll from porch to porch to hear single works by Lou Harrison, John Luther Adams, the 2014 Pulitzer Prize winner, OregonianJustin Ralls and New York composer Jacob Cooper. The performers include Third Angle musicians flutist Sarah Tiedeman, clarinetist Lou DeMartino, artistic director and violinist Ron Blessinger and percussionist Brian Gardiner.

The audience will split into five parts, rotating among the five sites, hearing all five performances over the course of the afternoon.

4 p.m. Saturday, June 14

Begin at 3215 N.E. 16th Ave.

$35; thirdangle.org/2014-15-season/porch-music; 503-331-0301

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Third Angle brings back Porch Music in Portland's Irvington neighborhood