2011
December 30, 2011
Two vehicles stolen in Nanticoke
Times Leader
City police are investigating the theft of two vehicles.
A 1989 Chevrolet K1500 pickup truck was reported stolen at 9:43 a.m.
Friday from the 200 block of Railroad Street. The truck is black with
gold on each side and has no registration plate or muffler.
A 1997 Plymouth Voyager minivan was reported stolen at 8:15 a.m. Thursday
from the 400 block of East Main Street. The van is green and has a
registration plate GKE-0503.
Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to contact Nanticoke
police at 735-2200.
December 30, 2011
Men plead guilty to mayor assault
Assistant district attorney is seeking a four- to eight-year prison
sentence for each man.
sdelazio@timesleader.com
Three men accused of assaulting Nanticoke Mayor Joseph
Dougherty and burglarizing several stores in the Wyoming Valley pleaded
guilty to related charges Thursday.
Steven Brannigan, 21, Daniel Banks, 25, and Thomas Owens, 21, all
of Wilkes-Barre, entered their pleas before Luzerne County Senior
Judge Hugh Mundy.
Assistant District Attorney Thomas Hogans said he is seeking a four-
to eight-year prison sentence for each man when they are sentenced
on Feb. 9.
Each man pleaded guilty to six related charges including criminal
conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy to commit
simple assault and criminal conspiracy to commit burglary.
The three men are charged with assaulting Dougherty by pulling him
out of a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze on June 25, striking him with a club,
then using the vehicle to commit burglaries in three different municipalities.
Police said the men then burned the car in a wooded area in Huntington
Township.
Dougherty, 44, an automotive paint salesman for Colours Inc., said
he was sitting in his company car that was idling in the 300 block
of East Green Street, Nanticoke, just after 11 p.m.
The headlights and an interior dome light were turned on when, Dougherty
said, he was pulled from the vehicle by three men in their late teens
or early 20s.
Nanticoke police said Dougherty reported he was beaten with a club
or a stick. He was treated at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center
in Plains Township.
Police said the three men then used the vehicle to commit robberies
at the Sunoco service station on the Sans Souci Parkway and Don’s
Deli on West End Road, both in Hanover Township.
They were also are suspects in an attempted burglary at the Variety
Shop on East Main Street, Newport Township, and a burglary at the
Countryside Market on Main Road in Hunlock Township.
State police recovered the car, which was torched in woods near Zachery
Road and state Route 239 in Huntington Township on June 26.
Banks told investigators he used gasoline to set the vehicle on fire,
according to the complaints.
12/29/2011
Nanticoke man faces assault charges after
bar fight
Citizens Voice
A Nanticoke man was charged with two counts of assault
and one count of harassment after hitting another customer with a
pool stick and throwing a beer mug at a bartender.
According to authorities, police were dispatched
to the Prospect St. Cafe in Nanticoke at 12:12 a.m. Dec. 20 for a
report that a man attacked people in the bar and then left in a blue
mini-van.
At the bar, police spoke with Vincent Rodriguez,
who played pool with Lee Antonik, of 274 Miner Ave., before the attack.
Rodriguez told police that Antonik asked to play for money, but after
Rodriguez said no, the two agreed to play for no money. After the
game, Rodriguez sat at the bar.
Bartender Chris Catchpole said after the game,
Antonik put $5 on the bar and said "double it." Catchpole
told Antonik that any agreements about money were between Antonik
and Rodriguez. Catchpole then went to help other customers. With Rodriguez's
back to him, Antonik allegedly struck Rodriguez three times with a
pool stick, once on the upper arm, once on the back, and once on the
leg. Catchpole saw the assault and told Antonik to leave. Antonik
began to leave and Catchpole told him he could not take a mug of beer
with him. Antonik threw the mug at Catchpole and nearly hit him, police
said.
12/29/2011
Police Blotter
Times Leader
City police reported the following:
• Police investigated a burglary at The Medicine
Shoppe, 69 N. Market St., on Tuesday night. Police said a window was
smashed just before 9:30 p.m. and prescription medications were stolen.
• Mike Jezewski reported scrap aluminum was stolen from a business
on Alden Road.
• Robert Fenner, of West Green Street, reported an unknown person
entered his landlord’s garage and stole a 1986 Honda quad, which
is white, red and yellow.
• Police cited Matthew Ceppa, of Glen Lyon, with public drunkenness
after investigating a report of door banging. Ceppa was jailed at
the Luzerne County Correctional Facility on an unrelated warrant.
• Kristyn Lutecki, of South Market Street, reported mirrors and
windows on a vehicle were damaged.
• Carol Potora, of Phillips Street, reported a mirror was damaged
on a vehicle.
• Police apprehended Gerard Jenkins, of Nanticoke, at Cocoa Hut,
East Main Street, on a warrant from Monroe County for failure to appear.
12/17/2011
A man was arraigned Thursday in Wilkes-Barre
Central Court for his alleged role in stealing aluminum from a business
in August
Times Leader
Joshua George Hallas, 29, of West Ridge Street, Nanticoke,
was charged with theft, criminal mischief, defiant trespass and criminal
conspiracy to commit theft. He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional
Facility for lack of $10,000 bail.
Police allege Hallas and Mark Anthony Luczak, 29, of River Street,
Nanticoke, stole 4,000 pounds of aluminum from Eclipse Fleet on West
Union Street, according to the criminal complaint.
Hallas used bolt cutters to cut a fence and drove his pickup truck
to the metal that they sold as scrap at a Wilkes-Barre metal recycler,
the criminal complaint says.
Luczak is facing charges of receiving stolen property and criminal
conspiracy in Luzerne County Court.
Hallas is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 21 before District
Judge Donald Whittaker in Nanticoke.
12/9/2011
Nanticoke man gets 20 months for mortgage
fraud
Citizens Voice
A judge on Thursday ordered a Nanticoke man to spend
20 months in federal prison in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme,
the U.S. Attorney's Office announced.
Richard Woods, 54, previously pleaded guilty to a charge of mail fraud,
authorities said.
Woods is the third defendant to be sentenced in the case, which led
to a 2007 indictment by a grand jury.
The FBI alleged the operators of First Advantage Mortgage Company,
which was based in Lake Ariel and later Hamlin, and Four Star Mortgage
Company in Gouldsboro, used false appraisals, false documents and
false employment records to qualify customers for inflated mortgages
and loans between 1999 and 2005.
Many of the customers subsequently defaulted on the mortgages and
loans, resulting in losses to banks and other financial institutions,
authorities said.
The FBI said Woods admitted he prepared numerous false real estate
appraisals to qualify borrowers for inflated mortgages.
12/2/2011
David Marinus, 45, of Apollo Circle, was
arraigned Wednesday in Wilkes-Barre Central Court on charges he assaulted
his girlfriend, Heather Szymaszek, inside their apartment.
Times Leader
Marinus was charged with simple assault and harassment.
He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack
of $10,000 bail.
Marinus claimed Szymaszek was hitting him.
She was treated at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains
Township, police said.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled on Dec.
7.
11/29/2011
Nanticoke police seek witnesses to motorcycle
crash
Bob Kalinowski - Citizens Voice
Nanticoke police are investigating a motorcycle crash
that sent a 45-year-old man to the hospital with critical injuries
Monday night on Main Street.
Police said Myron Malloy of Nanticoke was traveling on the 400 block
of East Main Street around 8:15 p.m. when he lost control and fell
off the 2007 Kawasaki motorcycle.
Malloy slid about 60 feet from where he skidded and lost control.
He was taken to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township,
where he was in critical condition Monday night, police said.
The motorcycle skidded nearly 150 feet, coming to rest at 444 E. Main
St.
Police said they spoke to two motorists who witnessed part of the
incident.
The first witness, while traveling on Main Street, saw a "quick
flash" pass her vehicle near a curve in the road. She looked
in the rearview mirror and saw the person and motorcycle sliding along
the road. The second witness just made a left turn onto Main Street
from State Street. Shortly after completing the turn, she saw the
motorcycle and driver sliding past the side of her vehicle.
Police said Malloy doesn't have a license to operate the motorcycle
and there was no legal registration plate on the vehicle. Investigators
said Malloy was traveling faster than the posted 25 mph speed limit.
An update on Malloy's condition was not immediately available. Investigators
said he was wearing a helmet.
Police are looking for additional witnesses to the crash. Anyone with
information should call city police at 570-735-2200.
11/28/2011
Shots fired into two houses in Nanticoke
Citizens voice staff report
Nanticoke police are seeking information about who
fired shots into two houses in the 100 block of Orchard Street on
Sunday morning.
At one house, a single shot was fired into
the front window, and the projectile was recovered inside.
The second house had a single shot fired into
the front door. Police said the projectile went through the aluminum
storm door and the metal front door and lodged in a closet.
Neighbors told police they heard two gunshots
at about 4:30 a.m. and saw a small four-door vehicle in the area.
The projectiles are believed to be from a handgun.
Both were recovered and will be submitted to the crime laboratory
for further analysis.
Nanticoke police were assisted by the state
police forensic unit from Troop P, Wyoming. Anyone with information
about the incidents is asked to call Nanticoke police at 570-735-2200.
11/22/2011
Nanticoke police seek info on attempted robbery
Bob Kalinowski - Citizens Voice
Nanticoke police are investigating an attempted robbery
Monday at the Cocoa Hut convenience store at 195 Middle Road.
Police said a man walked in the store, formerly called Uni-Mart, at
around 7:18 p.m. and demanded money several times.The man fled without
getting any cash, police said.
“He wasn’t given any money and fled the store. He took off
into the woods” in the city’s Hanover section, said Detective
Capt. William Shultz.
The suspect was described as a white male, about 6’2” and
240 pounds. He was wearing all dark clothing with a hood over his
head and face.
Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or Nanticoke police at
570-735-2200.
11/22/2011
City police reported the following incidents
Times Leader
• Jerome Delkanic, of West Broad Street, reported
that someone flattened the tires on his vehicle.
• Janet Wright, of East Main Street, reported that someone removed
a black, green and white Mongoose Crush bicycle from her back porch.
• Police said they cited Heather Szymaszek, of Apollo Circle,
with public drunkenness after they said she was causing a disturbance
outside of the Prospect Street Caf?.
• Florence Cheshinski, of West Grant Street, reported someone
threw a rock at her back porch window, smashing it.
• Kenny O’Donnell, of Front Street, reported to police that
someone entered his vehicle and stole a pack of cigarettes and a cup
of loose change.
• Michael Taylor, of East Grove Street, reported someone stole
the driver side mirror off of his Jeep Wrangler.
• Police said Michael Bieble, of Center Street, reported someone
entered his vehicle and stole a Sirius radio, an iPod Touch, various
CDs and a bottle of American Eagle cologne.
• Heather Keller, of South Market Street, reported to police
that someone entered her home and stole a Wii game system.
• Charles Hampton, of Maple Street, reported to police that someone
stole a 10-by-12 tan rug from his porch.
• Police said Howard Stritzinger, of Prince Street, was cited
for public drunkenness after he was observed walking on West Broad
Street, staggering and almost falling. Police said he was taken into
custody.
• Police said they charged Bret David Clark, 35, of Plymouth,
with violating a protection-from-abuse order after a woman reported
Clark was following her on Nov. 17.
• Police said they charged Mark Ryan Viniarski, 42, of West Noble
Street, Nanticoke, with simple assault and harassment after police
were called to a domestic dispute on Nov. 18. Police said Viniarski
was intoxicated and pushed a woman.
11/19/2011
Pedestrian struck in Nanticoke; police seek
witnesses
Bob Kalinowski - Citizens Voice
Nanticoke police are looking for
witnesses to a vehicle-versus-pedestrian crash that sent an 83-year-old
woman to the hospital Friday morning.
Police said Mary Conrad, of Nanticoke, was crossing East Main Street,
not within the crosswalk, when she was slightly struck by a vehicle
operated by Clifford Farides, 60, of Bloomsburg.
Farides was making a left turn from North Market Street onto Main
Street when the incident occurred around 11:48 a.m., police said.
Conrad was knocked to the ground and transported to Geisinger Wyoming
Valley Medical Center in Plains Township. The woman's injuries were
not life-threatening, police said.
Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call Nanticoke police
at 570-735-2200.
11/11/11
Thief gets 4- to 8-year sentence
Jonathan Michael Kemmerer, Nanticoke, had admitted to dozen charges
stemming from 5 incidents.
sdelazio@timesleader.com
A Nanticoke man was sentenced Thursday to four to eight years in state
prison on a dozen charges stemming from five incidents, including
burglaries at Moon Lake Park in Plymouth Township.
Luzerne County Senior Judge Hugh Mundy sentenced Jonathan Michael
Kemmerer, 27, of East Broad Street, on two counts of robbery; three
counts of criminal trespassing; four counts of theft by unlawful taking;
two counts of criminal mischief, and one count of possessing an instrument
of crime.
Kemmerer pleaded guilty to the charges in October.
According to court papers:
On Jan. 28, Kemmerer robbed the Cocoa Hut on East Main Street in Nanticoke,
telling a clerk he had a gun.
Kemmerer took an undetermined amount of cash and left the store. A
surveillance video captured the robbery, and Kemmerer was identified
as the suspect. On Jan. 1, Kemmerer burglarized a Broad Street, Nanticoke,
residence and took copper piping.
That same month, Kemmerer and another man burglarized Moon Lake Park
along state Route 29, owned by Luzerne County Parks and Recreation
Department, two separate times.
Aluminum dividers and copper piping were stolen in the incidents.
Most recently, on June 24, Kemmerer walked into Shelly’s Pizza
on Carey Avenue in Hanover Township and asked to use the bathroom.
When he left the bathroom, he approached the counter and told the
clerk he had a gun and wanted money.
About $330 was taken, and Kemmerer fled. He later told investigators
he spent the money on cocaine and that he committed the robbery because
of a drug addiction.
Mundy ordered Kemmerer to pay $3,074 in restitution and said Kemmerer
will receive 35 days credit for time already served in prison.
Assistant District Attorney Albert Yacoub prosecuted the case. Kemmerer
was represented by attorney Thomas Cometa.
Cometa filed a request to modify Kemmerer’s sentence shortly
after his hearing Thursday, asking that all of Kemmerer’s sentences
run concurrent to each other for a total of 18 to 36 months in prison.
Cometa said his client has been drug-free since his arrest and he
has accepted responsibility for his actions by pleading guilty.
11/9/2011
Times Leader
City police reported the following:
• Michael Tolodziewski, of West Union Street,
reported someone entered his vehicle and stole two knives, a compass,
a spotlight, a folding tree saw, camo coveralls and a camo backpack.
• Brenda Klos, of Apollo Circle, reported soda was poured on
her vehicle.
• Nicole Golanowski, of West Union Street, reported items were
stolen from her vehicle.
• Mary Jane Nestorick, of West Union Street, reported items were
stolen from her vehicle.
• Police said they cited Clement Sosnak Jr., of West Main Street,
with public drunkenness when he was allegedly found staggering on
West Main Street.
• Heather Tolodziewski, of Apollo Circle, reported jewelry and
medication was stolen during a burglary at her apartment.
• John Balut, of South Market Street, reported a tire was flattened
on his vehicle on Spruce Street.
• Tara Yokavonis, of East Grand Street, reported a tire was slashed
and nails were put in another tire on her vehicle.
11/6/2011
Court Briefs
Times Leader
Aggravated assault, terroristic threat and reckless
endangerment charges against Nassieve Wilson, 34, of West Green Street,
were dismissed during a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.
Nanticoke police had accused of threatening Shayla Perry with a handgun
during an argument at his residence on Oct. 23, according to the criminal
complaint.
A man accused by Newport Township police of drunken
driving with a child waived his right to a preliminary hearing before
District Judge Donald Whittaker on Wednesday.
William H. Weaver, 50, of South River Street, Wilkes-Barre, waived
two counts of driving under the influence and a single count of child
endangerment to Luzerne County Court.
Township police withdrew charges of reckless endangerment and three
traffic violations against Weaver.
Weaver had a blood alcohol level of .185 percent when he was stopped
by police on Rock Street on July 4. A 12-year-old boy was in Weaver’s
vehicle, according to the criminal complaint.
Denis Richard McDermott, 58, of Miner Avenue, Newport
Township, pleaded guilty to a defiant trespass charge during a preliminary
hearing Wednesday before District Judge Donald Whittaker.
Nanticoke police accused McDermott of entering a garage on East Grand
Street and rummaging through bags on Oct. 9, according to the criminal
complaint.
Police withdrew charges of burglary and possessing instruments of
crime.
10/28/2011
4 arrested in home drug raid
Police said they made controlled buys of heroin from Nanticoke residence.
jlynott@timesleader.com
Days before seizing more than 800 packets of heroin
in a raid of an East Main Street house, police made controlled buys
of heroin from the residence, according to arrest papers.
Police arrested four people, including two men from Brooklyn, N.Y.,
and seized crack cocaine, marijuana and a gun, the papers said.
Nigel Errol Sandy, 24, and William Edward Reid, 23, both of Brooklyn,
and Hector J. Lopez, 22, and Karl T. Traynham, 28, both of Nanticoke,
were held for lack of bail on various drug charges at the Luzerne
County Correctional Facility.
According to affidavits of probable cause to support the arrests:
State police provided money to a confidential informant on Oct. 18
and 24 to buy heroin at the residence from a person who used the street
name “Hec.” Portions of the controlled buys tested positive
for heroin.
On Wednesday, state police and Nanticoke police searched the residence
and seized 842 packets of heroin that matched the previous controlled
buys from Lopez.
A cell phone that had the number called by the informant was seized
from Lopez as well as $80 used to make one of the controlled buys
two days earlier.
All four men were in the residence at the time of the raid.
In addition, a Nanticoke police dog used in drug searches reacted
to a scent in a car parked in front of the residence. Reid told police
he drove the car owned by his uncle in Williamsport to Nanticoke from
New York City.
Police obtained a search warrant for the car and seized a gun as well
as three black bags that were identical to the one in the residence
that contained unopened packets of heroin.|
Police also said a deodorizing material was sprinkled throughout the
car to try to thwart dogs trained to detect narcotics.
10/28/2011
A man was arraigned Wednesday in Wilkes-Barre Central Court on charges
he assaulted his wife.
Bret Clark, 35, of Orchard Street, Nanticoke, was
charged with simple assault, stalking and harassment. He was released
on $5,000 unsecured bail.
Police allege Clark assaulted his wife during an argument inside their
residence Tuesday night, according to the criminal complaint.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled on Nov. 2 before District Judge
Donald Whittaker in Nanticoke.
10/27/2011
Nanticoke gun dealer seeks fair sentencing
eskrapits@citizensvoice.com, 570-821-2072
In a letter to U.S. District Court Senior Judge Edwin
M. Kosik, D&R Sports Center owner Mark Komoroski claimed the wrong
federal guidelines were used to determine his sentence.
A Nanticoke sporting goods dealer currently in federal prison for
conspiring to illegally ship paramilitary equipment to Russia will
get a chance to prove his sentencing was unfair.
Mark Komoroski, owner of D&R Sports Center, petitioned U.S. District
Court Senior Judge Edwin M. Kosik to allow him a hearing to "vacate,
set aside or correct" his sentence, alleging he unjustly received
a longer prison term than his co-conspirator due to use of the wrong
federal guidelines.
Kosik turned down Komoroski's request to be released from the Federal
Correctional Institution in Fort Dix, N.J. on bail, but granted him
the hearing, to be held at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 14 in the William J. Nealon
federal courthouse in Scranton.
Prosecutors said Komoroski and Russian national Sergey Korznikov conspired
to smuggle equipment such as rifle scopes and face shields from the
United States to Russia for sale to persons unknown.
Both men pleaded guilty, but Kosik sentenced Komoroski on July 29,
2010, to 32 months - 2.6 years - imprisonment, two years of supervised
release and a $10,000 fine, while sentencing Korznikov this past July
to six months in prison and two years of supervised release.
Komoroski's contention is his sentence was incorrectly determined
under guidelines for offenses involving national defense and weapons
of mass destruction, while Korznikov's was determined using federal
guidelines for economic offenses, which have lighter penalties.
"In reality, my offense was indistinguishable from Korznikov's,"
Komoroski wrote in his earlier letter to Kosik, in which he asked
for the hearing and a reopening of records related to the sentencing
guidelines. "We conspired to smuggle goods outside of the U.S.
without properly stating the value of such goods to avoid Korznikov
having to pay import taxes to Russia."
Komoroski is due to get out of prison on Dec. 12, 2012, according
to his wife Lecia, who also believes her husband's sentence is unfair
and has been pushing for an earlier release.
She was happy to learn of the Dec. 14 hearing and says if her husband
comes home, "It'll be the best Christmas present my family ever
had in our lifetimes."
10/25/2011
Police: Man threatens to kill stepdaughter
after she changes TV channel
bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com, 570-821-2055
A man pulled a gun and threatened to kill his stepdaughter
Sunday night because she changed a television channel, Nanticoke police
said.
After the channel flip, an irate Nassieve Omar Wilson unplugged the
television and retrieved a loaded handgun from his vehicle outside
the home at 115 W. Green St., police said.
Police said Wilson returned inside the home, pointed the gun at stepdaughter
Shayla Perry and vowed to kill her.
During questioning by police, Wilson acknowledged he threatened to
kill Perry if she "messed with" him or his son, investigators
said. He said he feared Perry because she promised to "get rid"
of him multiple times in the past.
Police charged Wilson, 34, with aggravated assault, simple assault,
recklessly endangering another person and terroristic threats.
According to arrest papers:
Police were called to 115 W. Green St. on Sunday around 8:15 p.m.
for a domestic dispute involving a gun. Officers met with Perry, who
said Wilson pointed a gun at her and threatened to kill her while
she was watching television with her younger sister. Her mother kept
yelling "No" and tried to push his arms down to prevent
him from pointing the gun at her, she said. Fearing "the worst,"
Perry said she fled the home.
Officers then met with Wilson on the porch. He invited them inside.
Police said he admitted confronting Perry with the gun because she
changed the channel while his son was watching television. He said
he retrieved the weapon because he felt threatened by Perry. Wilson,
however, said he never pointed the gun at her.
Investigators seized the gun, a Ruger P95, which was loaded with 12
rounds.
Wilson was taken into custody and lodged in the Luzerne County Correctional
Facility for overnight arraignment. Magisterial District Judge Donald
Whittaker arraigned Wilson on Monday morning and ordered him jailed
in lieu of $100,000 cash bail.
10/25/2011
Police Blotter
Times Leader
Nassieve Omas Wilson, 34, of West Green Street, Nanticoke, was arraigned
Monday by District Judge Donald Whittaker in Nanticoke on four counts
of aggravated assault, and one count each of simple assault, reckless
endangerment and terroristic threats for allegedly using a gun to
threaten a woman.
He was jailed at the county prison for lack of $100,000 bail.
Police allege Wilson got into an argument with Shayla Perry about
changing a station on a television his son was watching inside his
residence just after 8 p.m. Sunday. Perry said Wilson aimed a gun
at her and threatened to shoot her during the argument, the criminal
complaint says.
Police said the gun was loaded.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled Nov. 2 before Whittaker.
10/24/2011
Nanticoke woman charged with retail theft
Citizens Voice
Julie Conklin, of 109 Welles St., Nanticoke, is facing
charges of theft.
Police said Conklin tried to take $21 worth of merchandise from the
Family Dollar store.
10/21/2011
Police Wednesday reported the following:
Times Leader
• Jennifer Souder of East Green Street was cited
with harassment for attempting to stop someone who had been staying
with her from leaving her apartment, police said.
• Lamont Diggs of East Washington Street said the front door
of his residence was kicked and two televisions, prescription medication,
a bubble gum machine, a gold stamp collection and a Sony game system
were stolen.
• Judith Kotch of West Grand Street said an Acer Aspire laptop
computer was taken from her apartment during a burglary.
• Amy Sauers of Hill Street said her son’s blue and gray
Huffy bike was stolen from her property.
• Brittany O’Gorman of North Chestnut Street said her vehicle
was entered and an iPod Nano and prescription medication were stolen.
• Frank Nowakowski of Espy Street said his grandson’s DK
Cyclone bike was stolen from his yard. The bike is white with purple
rims.
• David Letteer of East Ridge Street said he was assaulted and
robbed in the area of College and East Main streets. Letteer said
he was grabbed from behind and his head was pushed into a telephone
pole causing him to black out. When he came to he discovered that
money was missing from his wallet.
• Dorothy Tinney, 46, of East Ridge Street was charged with resisting
arrest, public drunkenness and disorderly conduct on Oct.7. Tinney
threatened her husband after he refused to give her the keys to their
car. Police subdued her with a Taser after she struggled with an officer
outside her house.
• Denis Richard McDermott, 58, of Miner Avenue, Newport Township
was charged with burglary, criminal trespass and possessing instruments
of crime after police found him inside a residence on East Grand Street
on Oct. 9. A witness said he saw McDermott use a pry bar to open a
door on the residence. Police said they found a flashlight and a screwdriver
on McDermott and a pry bar and a backpack with screwdrivers, a hammer
and three towels outside the residence.
• John Michael Norcross, 42, of East Ridge Street was charged
possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia on Oct.
10. Police said he had two and a half tablets of the narcotic medication
Suboxone on him after he was seen entering and leaving a residence
known for drug activity on South Market Street.
• John Sabecky, 51, of Oak Street, was charged with simple assault
and harassment after he hit his wife Linda in the mouth and dragged
her across the floor around 3:20 a.m. on Monday. Linda Sabecky said
she was assaulted during an argument with her husband, who came home
intoxicated and was trying to cook something on the stove. She said
left the residence and when police located her in a convenience store
parking lot on Middle Road she said she was afraid her husband was
going to burn down their home.
10/18/2011
A man was arrested for beating his wife after
she warned him it wasn't a good idea to cook on the stove at 3:30
a.m. while he was intoxicated, police said.
Citizens Voice
John D. Sabecky, 51, of 125 Oak St., is charged with
simple assault and harassment.
Police said Linda Sabecky fled to a convenience store on Middle Road
to call the police after the assault. She told police she was concerned
her husband was going to burn the house down while cooking intoxicated,
so she confronted him.
John Sabecky then started choking her and hit her in the face, causing
her lip to bleed. He then drug her across the floor, she said.
John Sabecky was jailed in lieu of $10,000 bail.
10/14/2011
In Nanticoke, concern after the second lab
bust in a month
bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com, 570-821-2055
Nanticoke police charged a man Thursday with drug
crimes after uncovering another methamphetamine lab in the city over
the weekend.
Authorities said the meth lab operated out of 255 Apollo Circle, a
subsidized housing development where the suspect, Bradley Evanitus,
occasionally stayed.
The 27-year-old is charged with felony counts of manufacturing methamphetamine
and related crimes, including risking a catastrophe and illegal dumping
of meth waste.
Magisterial District Judge Donald Whittaker arraigned Evanitus and
ordered him jailed in lieu of $75,000 cash bail.
Production of meth - with volatile, potentially explosive components
- is hazardous enough, but Evanitus would simply discard the toxic
chemicals in the household trash placed outside in the densely populated
complex, Nanticoke police Detective Capt. William Shultz said.
"I am very concerned with it happening in this particular housing
development," Shultz said. "There's a lot of children there."
According to arrest papers:
The woman who leases the apartment, Jessica Kashatus, called police
last Friday to say she was out of town and suspected drug activity
was taking place at her residence. She asked police to enter her property,
remove the people and have it padlocked.
Police and officials from the Nanticoke Housing Authority entered
the property and located Evanitus inside with a woman.
Investigators said they initially spotted heroin, syringes and drug
paraphernalia. Then, they found a host of items commonly used to manufacture
meth, including: pseudophedrine, Coleman fuel, drain cleaner, lye,
ammonium nitrate, lithium, sodium, plastic tubing, coffee filters
and funnels.
Evanitus admitted to investigators he had cooked meth two days earlier.
Evanitus was arrested and jailed on the heroin charges, while a clandestine
response team investigated the suspected lab and a state police forensic
scientist inventoried, collected and secured the items.
Evanitus wasn't a tenant of the apartment, but "he was allowed
to stay there" at times, Shultz said.
He was transported from jail for the arraigned Thursday on the meth-related
charges.
This was the second alleged meth lab busted in Nanticoke in the last
month.
Authorities raided a property at 5 Alden Road on Sept. 22 and charged
Jeffrey DeLuca, 41, with manufacturing methamphetamine and related
crimes.
City police worked on both cases with the state attorney general's
office and state police.
"It's another step in our ongoing investigation into methamphetamine
manufacturing and trafficking in Luzerne County," John Soprano,
regional director of the attorney general's office, said.
"We are going to be continuing. There are going to be more arrests
in the future and we're going to continue the battle against meth,"
he said.
10/5/2011
Arrested hitchhiker found with stolen garbage
stickers
Bob Kalinowski - Citizens Voice
Nanticoke police arrested a hitchhiker early Tuesday
on West Main Street and seized some of his belongings, which included
brass knuckles, a knife, two 24-ounce cans of beer and dozens of Ashley
Borough garbage stickers.
Donald E. Shoemaker, 47, no known address, is charged with possession
of prohibited offensive weapons and public drunkenness.
According to arrest papers:
Police on patrol located Shoemaker hitchhiking along the 400 block
of West Main Street around 12:22 a.m. and stopped to assist. While
speaking to police, Shoemaker, who reeked of alcohol and had trouble
speaking, dropped the brass knuckles on the ground, police said.
Soon, he acknowledged he also had a knife in his waistband, police
said. Police said he also possessed two cans of beer and 45 Ashley
garbage stickers.
Asked about the stickers, Shoemaker said he "took them from my
buddy" and planned to "sell them for money."
In Ashley, residents can purchase a packet of 78 stickers for $125
and additional ones cost $1, officials said.
10/5/2011
Suicide threat closes portion of Sans Souci
Citizens Voice
A man threatening to commit suicide forced a shutdown
of part of the Sans Souci Parkway early Tuesday morning, police said.
Police said they got a call from the man's ex-girlfriend around 1
a.m. that he planned to jump off the Route 29 overpass to kill himself.
Upon arrival, police found the man, 22, standing on the top railing
of the bridge. He told police he no longer wanted to live.
Hanover Township and Nanticoke police began negotiations with the
man, and he was rescued. The man was taken for a mental health evaluation.
9/30/2011
A man was arraigned Thursday in Wilkes-Barre Central Court on charges
he assaulted his wife.
Times Leader
David Junior Dasilva, 23, of Railroad Street, was
charged with simple assault and harassment. He was jailed at the Luzerne
County Correctional Facility for lack of $5,000 bail.
Police said Megan Dasilva claimed her husband assaulted her during
an argument about pictures being deleted on a media card on Sept.
20, according to the criminal complaint.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled on Oct. 5 before District Judge
Donald Whittaker in Nanticoke.
9/29/2011
Men accused of assaulting Nanticoke mayor
waive hearing
bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com, 570-821-2055
The three men accused of severely beating the Nanticoke
mayor and using his car for a wild county-wide crime spree appeared
in court Wednesday, facing their alleged victims for the first time.
Daniel Thomas Banks, 24, of Nanticoke; Steven Brannigan, 20, of Hanover
Township; and Thomas Maxwell Owens, 21, of Wilkes-Barre, each agreed
to waive their preliminary hearings on a numerous charges that could
keep them behind bars for years. Afterward, they were sent back to
prison, each on bails more than $1 million, to await the resolution
of their cases in county court.
While waiting for their cases to begin in court Wednesday, however,
they spent most of their time laughing and joking with each other
about their past six weeks in prison, like learning how to play pinochle
and being turned down for jailhouse jobs because of the seriousness
of their charges. One of the suspects, speaking with two females who
came to greet and hug them, suggested the group of arresting officers
in the room were "corrupt."
After the brief hearing, Luzerne County Deputy District Attorney David
Pedri vowed to vigorously prosecute the case.
"This is something we are taking very seriously. We have three
individuals who went on a crime spree, who hurt various people in
various municipalities," Pedri said. "This type of activity
can not be tolerated."
Investigators said the three men bludgeoned Nanticoke Mayor Joseph
Dougherty with brass knuckles, a wooden bat and their fists outside
his East Green Street home the evening of June 25. Police said they
then took his car and committed a series of "smash and grab"
burglaries at Countryside Market in Hunlock Creek, Variety Stop in
Glen Lyon, the Sans Souci Sunoco in Hanover Township and Don's Deli
in Hanover Township. They then torched Dougherty's vehicle in a remote
part of Huntington Township, police said.
Nanticoke, Hanover Township and Newport Township police departments,
along with state police at Wyoming and Shickshinny, worked together
to make the arrests. They obtained surveillance footage and then confessions
from each suspect, police said.
The suspects are next scheduled to appear in county court on Dec.
2 for formal arraignment.
9/24/2011
A man was arraigned Friday on charges he
burglarized an apartment on West Ridge Street.
Times Leader
Kenneth Pennington, 23, of East State Street, Nanticoke,
was charged with three counts of criminal conspiracy, and one count
each of burglary, theft and criminal trespass. He was jailed at the
Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $25,000 bail.
Police allege Pennington and Joshua Frame, 29, of Nanticoke, burglarized
an apartment on West Ridge Street, stealing a television, a DVD player
and two video game systems on Sept. 4, according to the criminal complaint.
Frame was arrested Sept. 6 on burglary and theft related charges.
He remains jailed at the county prison for lack of $40,000 bail.
Preliminary hearings are scheduled on Oct. 12 before District Judge
Donald Whittaker in Nanticoke.
9/23/2011
Man operated meth factory, officials say
Jeffrey J. DeLuca of Nanticoke said he ran drug-making operation to
earn a living, say authorities.
elewis@timesleader.com
An unemployed man manufactured methamphetamine for
at least seven months, using proceeds to “pay his bills,”
authorities allege.
Agents with the state Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics
Investigation and Nanticoke police arrested Jeffrey J. DeLuca, 41,
on Thursday after allegedly finding medicine and other contraband
inside his Alden Road apartment used to cook methamphetamine.
“This wasn’t your mom-and-pop operation,” said Deputy
Attorney General Tim Doherty. “He certainly knew what he was
doing.”
Authorities searched DeLuca’s apartment at 5 Alden Road just
after 7 a.m. and found cold medicine, chemicals, funnels, iodine,
hot plates, anti-freeze, scales and plastic tubing.
Doherty said the items seized are used to manufacture methamphetamine.
John Soprano, regional director for the attorney general, said the
lab was “large scale.”
Soprano said agents with the AG’s clandestine team safely removed
the chemicals from the apartment.
A first-floor apartment was vacant, Soprano said.
DeLuca was arraigned by District Judge Joseph Halesey in Hanover Township
on three counts of possession of chemicals with intent to manufacture
a controlled substance, and one count each of manufacture of a controlled
substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance,
unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug
paraphernalia and risking or causing a catastrophe.
DeLuca’s Toyota Tacoma pickup truck was seized, Soprano said,
because agents believe he was using the vehicle to deliver and sell
methamphetamine.
“It’s an ongoing case that we’re building on,”
Doherty said. “He had the baking ingredients for a methamphetamine
operation.”
DeLuca allegedly told authorities he began cooking methamphetamine
in February from the apartment. He said he was not working and needed
to “pay his bills” and to pay his daily living expenses,
according to the criminal complaint.
Authorities allege in the complaint DeLuca claimed he acquired the
ingredients from various people, and last cooked methamphetamine Wednesday
night.
DeLuca was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for
lack of $100,000 bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled on Sept. 28.
9/22/2011
Family fight results in stabbing, charges
Citizens Voice
Nanticoke police are investigating a family fight
that sent two men to the hospital Monday.
The altercation, which allegedly started over text messages, started
when 28-year-old Zachery Hallas went to Apollo Circle around 1::47
a.m. to speak with Steven Tagnani, 21.
The two men fought, both claiming they were defending themselves.
Hallas said he was struck with a car jack. Tagnani was stabbed with
a knife.
Police said both men were transported to Geisinger Wyoming Valley
Medical Center in Plains Township where they were treated and released.
The investigation is continuing. Anyone with any information is asked
to call Nanticoke City Police at 570-735-2200, ext. 205 or 206
9/12/2011
On Friday around 11 a.m., police arrested
Kuren for breaking into 741 S. Prospect St. in Nanticoke. He was caught
in the basement. While the property was not in the flood zone, Kuren
admitted he was trying to capitalize on the flood emergency, police
said.
Citizens Voice
"I believe he was taking advantage of the situation,"
said Nanticoke police Capt. William Shultz. "He did admit he
knew a flood was going on. He did in during a natural disaster."
Charged with burglary, trespassing and theft, Kuren was jailed on
$75,000 cash bail.
9/3/2011
German shepherd returned to owner after attack
The dog mauled a tiny poodle outside a South Hanover Street home in
Nanticoke this week.
elewis@timesleader.com
A German shepherd that mauled a tiny poodle
outside a South Hanover Street home Wednesday was returned to its
owner after being held at the SPCA in Plains Township, authorities
said Friday.
Samantha Elliott Krepps, press secretary for
the state Department of Agriculture, said the German shepherd involved
in the attack and a Rottweiler that had been with the shepherd are
up to date with their vaccinations and licenses.
She said the municipal police department will
“take point” in filing citations if any are warranted.
A Nanticoke police report lists Jessica Ann
McGahee as the owner of the dogs. She did not return a message seeking
comment on Friday.
In another development, the German shepherd
was not wearing a spike collar, a man who detained the dog said. Jason
Weston, who lives in the 1200 block of South Hanover Street, said
he was unaware the German shepherd was involved in the mauling of
a poodle when he placed the dog on his porch.
Weston said the German shepherd did not have
a collar, countering a claim that the poodle’s owner may have
been injured by a collar.
Victor Swiderski, 85, said he was holding his
poodle, Ginger, on a leash outside his house in the 1000 block of
South Hanover Street when a German shepherd and a Rottweiler charged
into his yard just before 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Swiderski said he bruised his arm when he attempted
to pull the German shepherd off his poodle. He did not know if he
was bitten or if the bruises were caused by a spiked collar he thought
the dog had been wearing.
Swiderski’s poodle was taken to the Northeast
Veterinary Referral Hospital in Plains Township where it died.
The two dogs appeared to have escaped from
a pen outside a house at 1027 S. Hanover St.
Weston said he was inside his house and went
outside when his own dog started barking and saw another dog in his
yard.
“At first, I thought it was someone cutting
through my yard and I went outside to yell at them,” Weston said.
“Then I realized it was just two dogs.”
Weston said he wrangled the German shepherd
and the Rottweiler onto his porch because he was concerned they would
get hit by a vehicle.
“The Rotty had a collar on, sort of like
a choke collar,” Weston said. “The German shepherd didn’t
have a collar on.”
Weston said the two dogs were not aggressive,
noting the Rottweiler was licking him. He added he has never seen
the two dogs roam freely in the neighborhood, noting he resides two
blocks away.
“I found out the dogs were involved in
that mauling when police told me,” Weston said.
Police said the investigation was referred
to the state dog law enforcement officer due to the fact that a human
was not bitten.
State Dog Officer Jim Spencer deferred questions
to the state Department of Agriculture, which oversees dog laws in
Pennsylvania.
9/2/2011
A tiny dog’s bloody killing leaves a
void in its owner’s heart
The Nanticoke case is being investigated because of a possible bite
to a human.
elewis@timesleader.com
His eyes tearing up, Victor Swiderski stood in the
middle the living room of his South Hanover Street home on Thursday
thinking about the ferocious attack by a large dog that mauled his
tiny poodle named Ginger.
Swiderski, 85, said he was standing outside a side door to his home
with Ginger when a German shepherd and a Rottweiler charged into his
yard just before 5 p.m. Wednesday.
The German shepherd mauled Ginger, ripping the tiny dog apart, while
the Rottweiler sat several feet away, Swiderski said.
Swiderski rushed his dog to the Northeast Veterinary Referral Hospital
in Plains Township where it was euthanized.
“There was nothing they could do,” Swiderski said.
Tears filled Swiderski’s eyes as he recalled the attack from
inside his home, standing next to Ginger’s kennel and bed.
“Looking around here, it’s tough to see all the toys for
her,” Swiderski said.
Swiderski suffered bruises to his right arm when he tried to pull
the larger German shepherd off the tiny poodle. He does not know if
he was bitten by the German shepherd or if the bruises were caused
by its spiked collar.
Nanticoke police Detective Capt. William Shultz said police captured
the two dogs down the street and transported the animals to the SPCA
in Plains Township. Shultz said the case is being investigated by
the state dog officer because it is not definite that the German shepherd
bit Swiderski.
“It was the most vicious attack I’ve ever seen; there was
nothing Ginger could do,” Swiderski said.
Swiderski said he took Ginger outside a side door on a leash to prevent
her from running after rabbits. As soon as he stood on the concrete
stoop, Swiderski said his neighbor yelled to go back inside.
“My neighbor yelled to get my dog inside because those other
dogs were running around again,” Swiderski said. “By the
time I turned around, it was too late.”
His neighbor ran over and struck the German shepherd with a walking
stick.
Shultz said the German shepherd and Rottweiler
are owned by Jessica Ann McGahee, who resides at 1027 S. Hanover St.,
two houses away from the Swiderski residence.
McGahee and her boyfriend, Tom Nalbone, were
away at the time of the attack, Shultz said.
It remained unknown if she will be cited.
“That would be up to the dog officer,”
Shultz said.
The dogs appeared to have escaped from an outside
pen that can be seen from the street. A section of the pen appeared
damaged.
McGahee did not return a message for comment
on Thursday.
8/31/2011
Nanticoke man gets jail on charge of raping
child
Stuart W. Weidow III faces lifetime registration under Megan’s
Law.
sdelazio@timesleader.com
The father said he installed a camera in his daughter’s
closet and came home one evening and saw Weidow running out of his
daughter’s bedroom and into the bathroom.
A Nanticoke man was sentenced Tuesday to 10 to 20 years in state prison
on a charge that he raped a 12-year-old girl over a four-month period.
Luzerne County Judge Lewis Wetzel sentenced Stuart W. Weidow III,
23, of Apollo Circle, on a charge of rape of a child.
Wetzel said Weidow must register his address under Megan’s Law
for his entire life.
“You’re a young man … try to help yourself (while in
prison),” Wetzel told Weidow.
Weidow pleaded guilty to the single charge in May. Prosecutors were
seeking a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years due to the nature
of the charge.
Weidow received 280 days credit for time already served in prison.
According to court papers, on Oct. 23, police received a call from
the father of the 12-year-old girl, who said he caught Weidow having
an inappropriate relationship with his daughter.
The father said that several of the girl’s friends told him and
his wife about the sexual acts, and that when they confronted the
girl, she denied the allegations.
The father said he installed a camera in his daughter’s closet
and came home one evening and saw Weidow running out of his daughter’s
bedroom and into the bathroom.
The girl’s father said he watched the videotape, which clearly
showed Weidow having sexual intercourse with his 12-year-old daughter,
court papers said.
The girl told investigators she and Weidow had been “secretly
dating” since June and said the situation was “little by
little getting worse.”
Weidow knew how old she was, the girl said, and that on several occasions
they had oral and sexual intercourse, court papers say.
Wetzel said Weidow is not to have any unsupervised contact with minors
and is not to frequent places minors visit, including parks, playgrounds
or public pools.
An evaluation of Weidow was preformed by the state Sexual Offender’s
Assessment Board, but Weidow was not determined to be a sexually violent
predator.
8/31/2011
A man was arraigned Tuesday in Wilkes-Barre
Central Court on charges he fought with police investigating a disturbance
on private property.
Times Leader
Dustin Lee Pursel, 18, of East Ridge Street, Nanticoke,
was charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, public drunkenness
and purchase of alcohol by a minor. He was released on $2,000 unsecured
bail.
According to the criminal complaint:
Police investigating a fight at an apartment building on East Noble
Street found Pursel lying on the ground. Police advised Pursel he
was on private property.
Pursel allegedly told police that “It is God land” and he
had the right to be on the property so he “can chill out like
the hippies did,” the complaint says.
Police said Pursel struggled with officers when he was arrested. He
spat inside the police cruiser and banged his head against a cell
wall, according to the complaint.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled on Sept. 7 before District Judge
Donald Whittaker in Nanticoke.
8/18/2011
Woman sentenced for stealing from elderly
Kelci Pamela Jones, 23, of Nanticoke, gets a minimum of a year in
county prison.
sdelazio@timesleader.com
A woman charged with robbing an elderly man and taking
money from an elderly woman was sentenced Wednesday to a minimum of
one year in the county prison.
Kelci Pamela Jones, 23, with a last known address of South Market
Street, Nanticoke, was sentenced by Luzerne County Judge Lewis Wetzel
on two counts of theft and one count each of criminal trespassing
and robbery.
Jones, who pleaded guilty to the charges in June, was sentenced to
12 months less one day to 24 months less two days. Wetzel said Jones
will receive 65 days credit for time already served and must pay $510
in restitution.
Jones was represented by attorney John Donovan. Assistant District
Attorney Rebecca Reimiller prosecuted the case.
According to court papers, on Oct. 8 police responded to a home on
South Market Street for the report of a robbery.
Norbert Domzalski, 78, told police he was sleeping when an unknown
female entered his home and startled him. Domzalski said the woman,
later identified as Jones, said she would do a sexual favor for money.
Domzalski told police that when he declined the woman demanded money
from him and tried to take his wallet.
After a struggle with Domzalski, police said Jones was able to remove
$50 in cash and fled.
A month later, police learned Jones admitted she committed the crime
to a friend.
Police later questioned Jones, who said she was under the influence
at the time and went into Domzalski’s home to get money.
Jones told police she saw pants on the floor in Domzalski’s home,
grabbed for a wallet and was able to remove $35 that she and another
woman allegedly used to purchase two bags of heroin.
On Dec. 17, police said Jones took approximately $510 from a 72-year-old
woman while she slept in her East Ridge Street home.
Police said Jones went shopping with Dolores Storms and Storms cashed
a $700 check, using that money to buy groceries. Afterward, Jones
accompanied Storms to her home with her son and helped put groceries
away before Jones began making food in the kitchen.
Storms told police she went to sleep around 9:30 p.m. and woke up
about two hours later to use the bathroom. When she woke up, Storms
told police, she found an empty bank envelope in the kitchen that
contained the remaining $510 from her shopping trip earlier that day.
Storms told police she put the envelope under a container on a stand
next to her bed before going to sleep.
8/18/2011
Police: Mayor not specific target of attack
Authorities detail how they encountered three suspected in Joseph
Dougherty’s beating.
elewis@timesleader.com
Police knew assault and burglary suspect Steven Brannigan
was telling a lie.
Officers showed up at a residence in the Marion Terrace apartment
complex looking for Thomas Owens on Aug. 1.
They watched Brannigan, 20, and Owens, 21, enter the residence.
After officers knocked on the door, Brannigan allegedly told them
he was alone.
Police searched the apartment and found Owens lying on the floor trying
to hide behind a bed, according to charges filed.
Brannigan, Owens and Daniel Banks, 24, were charged Tuesday in the
violent beating of Nanticoke Mayor Joseph Dougherty on June 25.
Nanticoke police Detective Capt. William Shultz said Dougherty was
beaten with brass knuckles and a wooden club on South Chestnut Street
before the trio stole his company-issued vehicle, a 2011 Chevrolet
Cruze.
Shultz called the attack a “crime of opportunity,” noting
Dougherty was not specifically targeted by the three men.
Brannigan and Owens had been jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional
Facility since their arrests on Aug. 1, when Owens was found inside
the apartment.
Brannigan was charged with hindering apprehension, and Owens had been
a fugitive since Feb. 15 when a Luzerne County judge issued an arrest
warrant for skipping a hearing on a probation violation, court records
show.
Owens pleaded guilty to escape from a youth detention school in Butler
Township in September 2008. He was sentenced to six months probation
but failed to report to a probation officer and tested positive for
marijuana, according to the violation report.
Arrest records indicate investigators were aware at the time of the
pair’s arrest on Aug. 1 that they were allegedly responsible
for a two-day crime spree that began with the carjacking and assault
on Dougherty.
Investigators alleged the three men used the Chevrolet to burglarize
businesses in the townships of Hanover, Hunlock and Newport within
several hours on June 26.
State police at Shickshinny said the car was found torched in a wooded
area near Zachery Road and state Route 239 in Huntington Township
on June 27.
Banks admitted to investigators he poured gasoline on the vehicle
before he set it on fire, according to arrest records.
Like Brannigan and Owens, court records show Banks had obstructed
police and failed to appear for a hearing on a probation violation.
Arrest records say Banks tried to prevent officers from apprehending
his brother, who was involved in a disturbance in the parking lot
of Weis Plaza in Nanticoke in June 2006. He was sentenced to six months
probation after he pled guilty to an obstruction charge.
Banks was sentenced in July 2010 for driving under the influence of
marijuana after he crashed his vehicle on state Route 239 in Mocanaqua
in November 2009. A probation violation was filed against Banks when
he failed to pay fines and meet with a probation officer.
An arrest warrant was issued for Banks when he failed to appear for
a probation violation hearing in November. When he was captured, a
county judge in May gave him five months to pay $1,200 in fines.
8/17/2011
3 charged in beating of mayor
Trio also accused of going on a crime spree after taking Nanticoke
official’s car.
elewis@timesleader.com
Mayor Joseph Dougherty has a simple message for the three men accused
of beating him with brass knuckles and a wooden club before stealing
his company-issued vehicle.
“Enjoy jail,” Dougherty said.
Authorities allege Daniel Banks, 24, Steven Brannigan, 20, and Thomas
Owens, 21, all from Wilkes-Barre, went on a two-day crime spree on
June 25 and 26 in four municipalities, stealing vehicles, burglarizing
businesses and intentionally setting a fire, in addition to the violently
assaulting Dougherty.
The three men were arraigned by District Judge Donald Whittaker in
Nanticoke on a host of felony and misdemeanor assault, theft and conspiracy
charges that were filed after a joint investigation by state police
at Wyoming and Shickshinny, and police in Hanover Township, Nanticoke
and Newport Township.
They were jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility -- Banks
for lack of $1.25 million bail and Brannigan and Owens, $1 million
bail each.
“They attempted to steal a vehicle on Prospect Street (Nanticoke)
owned by Peter Kanjorski,” said Nanticoke police Detective Capt.
William Shultz. “When that failed, they went down two blocks
and ran into the mayor. They beat him and stole his vehicle.”
Dougherty said he was sitting in a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze owned by his
employer, Colours Inc., in front of his residence on South Chestnut
Street at about 11 p.m. June 25 waiting for a friend when he noticed
three men walking in the street. Dougherty was pulled from his vehicle
and assaulted.
Shultz said the three men used brass knuckles and a small baseball-style
bat to assault Dougherty.
“They put a beating on me,” he said after the three men
were arraigned. “I’m very pleased they got arrested. I want
to go to work. Life goes on.”
After carjacking Dougherty, authorities allege, Banks, Brannigan and
Owens drove the Chevrolet to Countryside Market on Main Road in Hunlock
Township, where they smashed a glass door and stole cigarettes and
a cash register at about 1:30 a.m. June 26.
The three men then traveled to Newport Township, where they smashed
a glass door at the Variety Shop on East Main Street in an attempted
burglary just after 3 a.m.
Less than an hour later, authorities allege in the criminal complaint,
Banks, Brannigan and Owens drove to Hanover Township, where they smashed
a glass door at the Sunoco service station on the Sans Souci Parkway
and ransacked the business, damaging a lottery machine and a cash
register, and stealing money and cigarettes.
The three men left Sunoco and traveled a short distance to Don’s
Deli on West End Road, where they forced open a door and stole a cash
register and damaged a credit card machine at about 3:45 a.m., the
criminal complaints say.
Video captured on surveillance cameras at several of the businesses
helped investigators, Shultz said.
State police recovered the Chevrolet, which was torched in woods near
Zachery Road and state Route 239 in Huntington Township on June 26.
Banks allegedly told investigators he used gasoline to set the vehicle
on fire, according to the complaints.
Preliminary hearings for the three men are expected to combine before
a single district judge. A date has not been scheduled.
8/17/2011
Suspects charged in Nanticoke mayor's beating,
carjacking
dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com, 570-821-2115.
Three men were arrested Tuesday for beating Nanticoke
Mayor Joe Dougherty and stealing his company car in June.
Daniel Thomas Banks, 24, of Nanticoke; Steven Brannigan, 20, of Hanover
Township, and Thomas Maxwell Owens, 21, of Wilkes-Barre, were arraigned
before Magisterial District Judge Donald Whittaker. Police said the
three men used Dougherty's car to commit a string of burglaries in
other communities throughout Luzerne County.
They face a slew of charges in connection with the beating and carjacking
of Dougherty including aggravated assault, simple assault and robbery
of a motor vehicle as well as burglary and related charges in Hanover
and Newport townships and Hunlock Creek.
Dougherty, who talked to the media outside the arraignment, recalled
the night of June 25 when three men bludgeoned him outside his home
on East Green Street and stole his vehicle. He said he was beaten
like never before. He just came home, parked his vehicle outside his
house and waited inside for his friend to pick him up.
While he waited, he saw three men walking in the middle of the road
toward him. As they got closer, he said they opened his driver door,
pulled him from his Chevrolet Cruz and hit him in the head, face and
body. He was bleeding from his head, face, nose and right leg. Dougherty
was assaulted with brass knuckles, a wooden bat and the three men's
fists, police said.
Dougherty credited "wonderful cooperation from law enforcement"
in arresting the three men. Nanticoke, Hanover Township and Newport
Township police departments and state police at Wyoming and Shickshinny
worked together to make the arrests.
According to the criminal complaint, police learned the three men
were involved in other burglaries they committed with Dougherty's
vehicle, including one that occurred June 26 at 1:30 a.m. at Countryside
Market in Hunlock Creek. State police at Shickshinny investigated
and observed the three on video committing the crime with Dougherty's
car.
Just after 3 a.m. on June 26, Newport Township police found a glass
window in an exterior door was broken at the Variety Stop in Glen
Lyon. A video showed the same vehicle was involved.
At 3:45 a.m. that day, Hanover Township police were dispatched to
the Sans Souci Sunoco for a burglar alarm. When police arrived, they
found the front window was smashed. According to police, the three
men entered the business and destroyed the lottery machine, cash register
and shelves. Money and cigarettes also were missing. Owner Simmy Singh
reported $218 was stolen from the cash register; $607 worth of cigarettes
were taken and $3,300 in damage to the building and equipment.
At about 4:15 a.m. on June 26, Hanover Township police responded to
Don's Deli on West End Road where a window was smashed. Owner Don
Heness told police that the cash register and cord for the credit
card machine was missing. He said the approximate value for the stolen
cash register and cord for the credit card machine is $121 and there
was $260 in damages to the building and equipment.
Investigators obtained video surveillance which shows Dougherty's
vehicle at Don's Deli and Sans Souci Sunoco. The three men burned
Doughery's vehicle in the Hunlock Creek area, according to police.
The three men also are charged with breaking into and attempting to
steal Peter Kanjorski Jr.'s vehicle in Nanticoke on June 25.
Between Aug. 1 and Aug. 4, members of Nanticoke, Hanover Township
and Nanticoke police departments interviewed Banks, Branningan and
Owens, who admitted to their roles in committing the crimes, police
said. The three men declined comment as police led them to their arraignment
on Tuesday.
They were jailed at Luzerne County Correctional Facility in lieu of
$250,000 bail. Whittaker set preliminary hearings for Sept. 23 and
24 in his court and before magisterial district judges in the areas
where the crimes occurred.
8/16/2011
Three men arrested for assault on Nanticoke
mayor
elewis@timesleader.com
Three men are facing charges for the beating and
carjacking of Nanticoke Mayor Joseph Dougherty in June.
click image to enlarge
Stephen Brannigan, 20, Daniel Thomas Banks, 24, and Thomas Maxwell
Owens, 21, all from Wilkes-Barre, were arrested Tuesday morning after
a joint investigation by state police at Wyoming, and police in Hanover
Township, Nanticoke and Newport Township.
Authorities allege the three men assaulted Dougherty who was sitting
inside an idling Chevrolet Cruze in the 300 block of East Green Street,
Nanticoke, on June 26.
Dougherty was assaulted with brass knuckles, police allege.
After the three men stole the Chevrolet, state police said the vehicle
was used in a burglary at the Country Side Quick Mart on Main Road
in Hunlock Township on June 27.
The vehicle was found torched in a wooded area near Zachery Road and
state Route 239 in Huntington Township on June 28.
Authorities also suspect the three men burglarized Don's Deli on West
End Road in Hanover Township on June 26, and attempted to burglarize
a building in Newport Township.
Brannigan, Banks and Owens are scheduled to be arraigned by District
Judge Donald Whittaker in Nanticoke on a host of felony and misdemeanor
assault and theft charges later today.
8/10/2011
Citizens Voice
Nanticoke police activity
Robert Smith of South Hanover Street reported someone
entered his vehicle and stole a DVD/GPS/Backup Camera system.
Jennifer Olszyk of South Hanover Street reported someone entered her
vehicle and stole a leather briefcase handbag.
Theresa Antolik of Hillcrest Drive reported someone entered her vehicle
and stole loose change.
Joann Mavus of Hillcrest Drive reported someone entered two of her
vehicles and stole sunglasses.
Joseph Michalek of Mountain View Drive reported someone entered his
vehicle and stole loose change, a backpack and a GPS device.
Cheryl Taskoweak of Hillcrest Drive reported someone entered her vehicle
and stole loose change.
Sara Hamilton of Front Street reported someone keyed the driver side
of her vehicle.
Nicholas Syudam of State Street was cited for operating an all-terrain
vehicle on a roadway, operating an ATV without a license, operating
an ATV without proper registration and operating a vehicle with a
suspended license after he was spotting driving on Access Road.
John Klimchak reported someone broke the side window of a dump truck
he owns and was parked on East Washington Street.
Shannon Musto of East Ridge Street reported someone punctured a hole
in two of her tires and her swimming pool.
8/9/2011
Nanticoke man allegedly beats, drags girlfriend
down road
bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com, 570-821-2055
Police said a man beat his girlfriend and dragged
her down the middle of East Main Street early Monday morning in Nanticoke,
awakening neighbors.
Daryl Williams, 23, is charged with simple assault and harassment
in connection with the domestic dispute that turned violent around
6:30 a.m.
Investigators said Williams chased after and caught up to live-in
girlfriend, Starneesha Richardson, after she fled their apartment
at 220 E. Main St. to avoid his attack. Williams knocked Richardson
to the ground along the 100 block of Main Street and began punching
and kicking her, police said.
Police said he then grabbed her by the feet and started dragging her
down the roadway.
According to arrest papers:
Richardson told police the two got in an argument because she came
home at 11 p.m. the night before. Williams then began smashing and
breaking items around the home.
Around 2:25 a.m., police were called to their apartment for loud noise.
The couple arrived at the door.
Williams was holding a metal pipe and a broomstick and Richardson
was holding a knife. Both parties, however, denied their dispute ever
got physical or that any threats were made.
The two continued to argue, police said, until Williams took Richardson's
cellphone. Richardson then fled to a nearby convenience store, prompting
Williams to follow. That's when, witnesses say, Williams beat Richardson
and began to drag her down the street around 6:30 a.m.
Richardson suffered numerous scratches and scrapes, police said.
Williams was arraigned and jailed in the Luzerne County Correctional
Facility in lieu of $5,000 cash bail.
8/9/2011
Gun dealer alleges unfair sentence
eskrapits@citizensvoice.com, 570-821-2072
A Nanticoke man convicted of conspiring to illegally
ship military equipment to Russia is seeking a hearing to determine
whether his sentence is appropriate.
D&R Sports Center owner Mark Komoroski recently sent a letter
to U.S. District Court Senior Judge Edwin M. Kosik in which he alleges
he was unfairly sentenced to a longer prison term than his co-conspirator
because the wrong federal guidelines were used.
Prosecutors said Komoroski and Russian national Sergey Korznikov conspired
to smuggle equipment including rifle scopes, firearm magazines and
face shields from the United States to Russia to be sold to unknown
people.
Both men pleaded guilty. Kosik sentenced Korznikov on July 21 to six
months in prison and two years of supervised release. However, Komoroski
was sentenced on July 29, 2010, to 32 months - 2.6 years - imprisonment,
two years of supervised release and a $10,000 fine.
In a letter to Kosik dated July 31 and filed in federal court Monday,
Komoroski said the main reason for the disparity was because Korznikov's
sentence was determined using federal guidelines for economic offenses,
while Komoroski said his sentence was determined under guidelines
for offenses involving national defense and weapons of mass destruction.
"In reality, my offense was indistinguishable from Korznikov's,"
Komoroski wrote. "We conspired to smuggle goods outside of the
U.S. without properly stating the value of such goods to avoid Korznikov
having to pay import taxes to Russia."
To prove his claims, Komoroski is seeking a hearing and a reopening
of records related to the sentencing guidelines.
In his Aug. 5 reply, Kosik acknowledges receipt of Komoroski's letter,
a copy of which was sent to Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Fawcett,
who prosecuted the case.
"At the time of Korznikov's sentencing, (Fawcett) specifically
related the reason for disparity in the sentences. Accordingly, it
may be more appropriate for her to respond to the letter I presume
she received," Kosik wrote. "I know your circumstances have
been distressful to you and your wife. Since she is most innocent,
my sincere sympathy is with her."
Kosik concludes, "We may be addressing this matter again."
Kosik's office had no comment on his reply.
Komoroski's attorneys, Frank Nocito and Philip Gelso, also declined
comment.
Komoroski's wife Lecia said she visited him in prison Monday at Fort
Dix, N.J., where he has been serving his time since Aug. 19, 2010,
and was not aware of Kosik's letter. She has been working hard to
help get her husband's sentence overturned.
"It's sad what transpired, and I'm hoping everybody realizes
this is wrong, what they did to Mark," Lecia Komoroski said.
Korznikov's attorney Richard Levitt said he and his law partner Nicholas
Kaiser do not represent Komoroski, and that he thinks Kosik will do
what he believes is best.
"We have no interest in his sentencing one way or another,"
Levitt said.
Regarding Korznikov's sentencing, he said, "I think the judge
was extremely thoughtful and fair."
7/26/2011
Area man appeals sentence for conspiring
to export military items
Mark and Lecia Komoroski say attorneys failed to challenge calculation
of sentencing guidelines.
rtmorgan@timesleader.com
A Nanticoke man who pleaded guilty to illegally conspiring
to export military equipment to Russia is questioning why his co-defendant
received a much lesser sentence for his role in the case.
Mark Komoroski and his wife, Lecia, owners of D&R Sporting Goods,
contend he was subjected to a much harsher sentence because his attorneys
failed to challenge an alleged improper calculation of the sentencing
guidelines relating to his crime.
That belief was compounded on Thursday, when Komoroski’s co-defendant,
Sergey Korznikov, was sentenced to six months in prison, compared
to the 32-month prison term imposed on Komoroski last July.
Lecia Komoroski said she believes Korznikov’s sentence was much
less because his base offense level – a number utilized in federal
cases that dictates the number of months of imprisonment – was
properly calculated, whereas her husband’s was not.
“He was completely misled in the courtroom,” Lecia Komoroski
said of her husband. “It comes down to the fact they were both
charged with one count of conspiracy. They have to start at the same
base offense level.”
Lawyer’s viewpoint
But Korznikov’s attorney, Nicolas Kaiser of New York City, said
the disparity stemmed from a difference in the charges to which the
two men pleaded guilty.
Mark Komoroski and Korznikov, a Russian national, were charged in
January 2008 with violating the Arms Export Control Act for trying
to smuggle military equipment, including rifle scopes, firearm magazines
and face shields, into Russia.
Komoroski pleaded guilty in August 2009 to five counts of conspiracy
and was sentenced in July 2010. The dispute in his sentence centers
on whether any of the items involved are on a list that requires the
seller to have a special license from the U.S. Department of State,
which Komoroski did not possess.
Komoroski maintains the government wrongly concluded that 21 items
shipped qualified for inclusion on that list – a determination
that raised the sentencing guideline range in his case from eight
to 14 months to 46 to 57 months in prison, he says.
In a motion seeking to vacate his sentence, Komoroski claims his attorneys,
Frank Nocito and Philip Gelso, wrongly advised him that it did not
matter if the items were on the list. The motion, which Komoroski
and his wife wrote and filed themselves, claims the attorneys never
filed a challenge to the government’s position, leading to the
imposition of a disproportionate sentence.
Contacted Monday, Nocito said he and Gelso were precluded from commenting
on Komoroski’s claims due to attorney client privilege.
Lecia Komoroski said she and Mark did not realize he had been subjected
to the wrong sentencing standard until after he began serving his
sentence in August 2010.
‘Gut feeling’
Komoroski said she began reviewing the law based on a “gut feeling”
that something was amiss. That’s when she discovered his sentence
had been based on a guideline relating to “offenses involving
national defense and weapons of mass destruction.”
Komoroski said the guideline range for that offense is much lower
if the weapons involved were non-fully automatic small arms, such
as rifles and handguns. In her husband’s case, he had shipped
rifle scopes, firearm magazines and face shields, thus he should have
qualified for the lesser sentencing range.
“They had Mark and I believing (the items) were on the State
Department list, when in fact they are not,” she said. “If
our attorneys had ever shown that to us, Mark would never have pleaded
guilty to what he pleaded to.”
Korznikov’s attorney, Kaiser, said he could not comment on Komoroski’s
ineffective counsel claim against Nocito and Gelso. He said he reviewed
Komoroski’s motion to vacate his sentence and does not believe
he will prevail, however.
“I don’t think they stand much of a chance given the way
the courts faithfully addressed Mr. Komoroski’s sentencing guideline
and faithfully adhered to established precedent to determine Mr. Komoroski’s
sentence,” Kaiser said.
As for the disparity in Komoroski’s and Korznikov’s sentence,
Kaiser said Komoroski and Korznikov pleaded guilty to conspiracy.
The key difference is Korznikov admitted he engaged in the conspiracy
solely to avoid paying Russian tariffs on the equipment, whereas Komoroski’s
plea involved smuggling the equipment into Russia, he said.
Lecia Komoroski insists her husband did not know he needed a State
Department license to ship the equipment in question. She says Mark
was simply trying to build up the family business and got involved
with something he did not fully understand.
“We are just hard-working, middle-class Americans who were trying
keep a business going and do right thing,” she said.
Store still open
Lecia Komoroski has continued to operate D&R Sporting Goods since
Mark’s arrest. The store had to forfeit its license to sell firearms,
but continues to sell other types of sporting goods.
Komoroski said she realizes it’s possible Mark, who is scheduled
for release in December 2012, will serve his entire sentence before
the issue is resolved. They have vowed to continue to fight regardless.
“I’m very passionate about this because I know it’s
wrong,” she said. “I don’t care if it goes on for 10
years, we will continue to fight this.”
7/22/2011
Russian gets six months for smuggling military
equipment
jlynott@timesleader.com
A Russian national who pleaded guilty to participating
in a military equipment export smuggling operation was sentenced Thursday
in federal court to six months in prison.
Sergey Korznikov, 42, of Moscow, will begin his sentence on Aug. 11
at a yet to be determined location.
Senior U.S. District Judge Edwin Kosik also ordered Korznikov to serve
two years of supervised release upon the completion of his sentence.
Korznikov and co-defendant Mark Komoroski, owner of D& R Sporting
Goods in Nanticoke, were charged in January 2010 with conspiring to
smuggle the equipment that included rifle scopes, ammunition magazines
and face shields to Russia from the United States.
Korznikov was connected to Moscow-based Tactica Ltd. that sells rifle
optics, binoculars, boots, and other hunting and paramilitary equipment.
Federal authorities believed he had illegally exported hundreds of
thousands of dollars of equipment over a several-year period, according
to a search warrant affidavit filed in 2006.
Komoroski received a 32-month sentence in July 2010, was ordered to
pay a $10,000 fine and serve two years of supervised release.
The investigation was handled by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security,
Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Internal Revenue Service criminal
investigations unit; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives;
U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Department of Commerce; Defense Criminal
Investigative Service; and the Pennsylvania State Police.
7/21/2011
City police reported the following incidents:
Times Leader
• Nicholas Kopiak of West Union Street reported
to police that someone stole his red 20-inch lawn mower from his back
porch Monday.
• Brandon Switzer of East Union Street was cited with trespassing
Monday after he was observed sitting in his vehicle that was parked
in the Greater Nanticoke Area High School parking lot, violating the
posted no trespassing sign, police said.
7/20/2011
Cereal dispute leads to arrest for Nanticoke
man, woman
Police charge Jason Slater and Laura Rasmus with harassment, simple
assault.
sdelazio@timesleader.com
A city couple was charged this weekend after an argument
that began over spilled cereal.
City police said Jason Slater , 27, and Laura Rasmus, 23, both of
East Church Street, were charged with harassment and simple assault
after police responded to their home late Saturday for the report
of an assault.
Slater and Rasmus were arraigned on the charges Sunday morning and
were released on their own recognizance.
A preliminary hearing for the duo has tentatively been scheduled for
July 26 before District Judge Donald Whittaker.
According to court papers, at around 11:45 p.m. Sunday police were
called to the East Church Street home for the report of a man who
was assaulted.
Slater told police he was assaulted by his girlfriend, Rasmus, and
that he had been laying on the couch with a bowl of cereal.
While laying on the couch, Slater said, he began to fall asleep and
spilled a little cereal on the floor.
Rasmus, Slater said, told him she “hated when he did that”
and began to punch, slap and kick Slater.
Slater said he tried to get Rasmus to stop hitting him, but she grabbed
a decorative cross from the wall and began to strike Slater with it.
Slater said he began to cry and left the home.
Police later spoke with Rasmus, who said she told Slater to stop dozing
off on the couch repeatedly and then tried to kick Slater out of the
house.
Rasmus said Slater is the one who grabbed the cross of the wall, and
hit her on the back with it.
7/20/2011
City police reported the
following incidents:
• Police said Howard Stritzinger of Prince Street
was taken into custody and cited with public drunkenness after police
said they saw him sleeping on a bench in front of the Oplinger Towers
on East Main Street on Monday.
• Helen Allabaugh of Hanover Township
reported to police that she was at a function at the Quoit Club in
Nanticoke on Monday when someone entered her unlocked car and took
a change purse and plastic bag, both containing cash.
7/13/2011
Nanticoke men arrested on drug trafficking
charges
By Denise Allabaugh - Citizens Voice
Two Nanticoke men face drug trafficking charges for
distributing hundreds of grams of heroin and crack cocaine, the U.S.
Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced
today.
Marcus Holder, 24, and Michael F. Bruce, 24, conspired to distribute
more than 400 grams of heroin and more than 112 grams of crack cocaine
in Luzerne County from 2009 to April 2011, according to U.S. Attorney
Peter J. Smith. Holder and Bruce also allegedly possessed five firearms
in relation to drug trafficking and distributing controlled substances
on numerous occasions.
If convicted of all charges, Holder and Bruce face a maximum sentence
of 40 years imprisonment.
The case was investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau
of Investigation and officers from Nanticoke, Plains Township and
Wilkes-Barre. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Gurganus is prosecuting
the case.
7/9/2011
Heather Lynn Tolodzieski, 21, of Apollo Circle,
Nanticoke, was sentenced Friday on three separate counts of retail
theft by Luzerne County Judge Tina Polachek Gartley.
Tolodzieski pleaded no contest to one charge and
guilty to the remaining two charges in May.
According to court papers, on Jan. 1, 2010,
police said Tolodzieski entered Kohl’s Department Store in Wilkes-Barre
Township and tried to leave the store with clothing items.
On June 10, 2010, police said, Tolodzieski
entered the Weis Market in Nanticoke and again tried to leave the
store with several items.
On Dec. 14, 2010, police said, Tolodzieski
entered Redner’s Market in Edwardsville and attempted to remove
items including sponges, a can of air freshener, a box of garbage
bags and maxi pads.
6/30/2011
Out on bail on theft charges, man jailed
for allegedly robbing store
elewis@timesleader.com
Free on bail on charges he conspired to steal copper
and brass fixtures from a building at Moon Lake Park, Jonathan Kemmerer
Jr. was arrested early Wednesday morning for allegedly robbing a store.
Kemmerer, 27, of East Broad Street, Nanticoke, was arraigned in Wilkes-Barre
Central Court on two counts of robbery and a single count of theft.
He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack
of $20,000 bail.
According to the criminal complaint:
Police allege Kemmerer entered the Cocoa Hut Convenient Mart on East
Main Street around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and tried to buy items with an
access card that had insufficient funds. He left the store after he
was refused the sale.
Police said in the complaint Kemmerer entered the store a second time
with his hand under his shirt, telling the clerk, “Give me the
money. I have a gun.”
Kemmerer was identified as the suspect when police reviewed video
surveillance, according to the complaint.
Police found Kemmerer at his house just before 1 a.m.
Kemmerer allegedly admitted to robbing the store, telling police he
discarded a hat and T-shirt when he ran away from the business. He
said he used the money he took to buy cocaine and gave his mother
$20, the complaint says.
In an unrelated case, according to court records, state police at
Wyoming charged Kemmerer and Donald Keith Violini, 38, of Hunlock
Township, with sneaking into the pool house at Moon Lake Park and
stealing copper wire and brass fittings in December.
Violini is further charged with stealing items from the park’s
pool house in January.
State police allege the two men received $209 from a scrap yard on
Dec. 16, and Violini received $89 from a scrap yard on Jan. 19, according
to arrest records.
Kemmerer and Violini are facing theft-related charges in county court
for allegedly stealing metal from Moon Lake. Kemmerer is further facing
charges in county court for stealing copper from a house on East Broad
Street, Nanticoke, on Jan. 19, court records say.
A preliminary hearing on the latest charges against Kemmerer is scheduled
on July 5 before District Judge Donald Whittaker in Nanticoke.
6/28/2011
Car stolen from Nanticoke mayor found torched
in Sweet Valley
elewis@timesleader.com
State police at Shickshinny recovered a burned out vehicle that may
be linked to the car stolen from Nanticoke Mayor Joseph Dougherty
Saturday night.
The vehicle was found torched near Zachary Road at about 8:30 p.m.
Monday. It has since been seized by state police.
Dougherty was assaulted by three males in their late teens or early
20s while he sat inside a Chevrolet Cruze, which is owned by his employer,
Colors Inc.
State police suspect the vehicle was used in a burglary at Sorber's
Stop and Go Quick Mart on Main Road in Hunlock Township at about 1:33
a.m. Sunday.
Two males smashed the glass front door at the quick mart while the
third male waited outside, state police said.
Cigarettes, lottery tickets and an empty cash register was stolen
from the store. The vehicle was last seen traveling south on Main
Road after the burglary, state police said.
Authorities are also investigating whether the three men are responsible
for burglaries at the Sunoco Service Station on the Sans Souci Parkway,
Hanover Township, and Don's Deli on West End Road, also in Hanover
Township, Saturday night.
6/27/2011
Nanticoke mayor is attacked
Joe Dougherty is beaten Saturday in a crime that might be linked to
others.
jlynott@timesleader.com
As the city’s mayor, Joe Dougherty might have upset some people,
but not to the point where they would beat him and steal his car.
The part-time mayor was the victim of a vicious attack Saturday night
near his house on East Green Street that left him with a broken nose,
staples in his head and bruises over his body.
“I don’t think it was anybody from town, to be completely
honest with you,” he said Sunday.
Three white males in their late teens or early 20s assaulted him and
drove off with a white, four-door 2011 Chevrolet Cruze that has the
number 192 in black on the driver’s side quarter panel. Police
are investigating whether the carjacking and robbery is connected
to the smash-and-dash burglaries of stores in Hanover, Newport and
Union townships.
Dougherty, 44, a full-time, automotive paint salesman for Colours
Inc., said he was sitting in the car provided by the company doing
paperwork around 11:15 p.m. and waiting for a friend to come by so
that they could go out. The headlights were on, the motor running
and the interior dome light was on as well. He saw three males pass
by and he didn’t give them a second thought.
“Next thing you know I’m drug out of my car and I’m
thumped,” he said.
“It was so quick. They pulled me out of the car. My keys were
still in the ignition. I was listening to the radio. I saw something.
It looked like a club.”
Dougherty said his attackers didn’t say anything and they didn’t
take his wallet.
He remembered calling Luzerne County 911 and handing his phone to
his friend who had arrived by then.
Nanticoke Police Detective Capt. William Shultz corrected Dougherty,
saying the mayor did call 911, but “at one point lost consciousness.”
The friend picked up the phone, said Shultz.
Dougherty was taken to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in
Plains Township, where he was treated.
The mayor struggled to find an answer for the attack.
“I’ve lived in this neighborhood all my life,” he said,
adding he plans to stay put.
Shultz, however, offered an explanation, calling it a “crime
of opportunity.”
Dougherty did not know his attackers and they might not have known
him, said Shultz.
The detective said a neighbor reported seeing Dougherty sitting inside
the car with the headlights on.
“He didn’t think anything of it,” Shultz said of the
neighbor. The neighbor also recalled hearing the car speed off.
The car was last seen traveling north on South Chestnut Street.
A car matching that description was involved in a burglary around
1:30 a.m. at Sorber’s Stop & Go Country Side Quick Mark gas
station on Main Road in Union Township, according to state police
at Shickshinny.
A glass door was smashed and two white males went inside, state police
said. A third white male waited outside the store. Cigarettes, lottery
tickets and an empty cash register were taken, state police state.
The three males drove away, heading south on Main Road toward Hunlock
Township and U.S. Route 11, state police said.
Windows were smashed in burglaries at Don’s Deli on West End
Road and the Sunoco Service station on the Sans Souci Parkway, Hanover
Township police said.
There were no descriptions of the suspects in either of those break-ins.
Anyone with information about the carjacking
and robbery is asked to contact Nanticoke police at 570-735-2200.
State police at Shickshinny asked that anyone with information about
the break-in at Sorber’s Stop & Go contact them at 570 542-4117.
6/27/2011
Nanticoke mayor carjacked, beaten
emoody@citizensvoice.com, 570-821-2051
The mayor of Nanticoke was bludgeoned with a club
late Saturday night when three men attacked him outside of his home
and stole his car.
Recovering with family Sunday afternoon, Joe Dougherty said they "ripped
me out of my car and hit me with a billy club, but I'm still walking
around today."
Nanticoke police Capt. William Shultz declined to identified the victim,
but confirmed police are looking for three men in their late teens
or early 20s who are suspected of stealing a vehicle from the 300
block of East Green Street at about 11 p.m. Saturday. He is looking
into a possible connection with several burglaries and attempted burglaries
in the area that night.
He said it did not appear the victim was targeted, and this was a
"crime of opportunity." The vehicle is a white four-door
2011 Chevrolet Cruze with "192" painted in black on the
driver's side. It was last seen traveling north on South Chestnut
Street.
Dougherty said he was sitting in the vehicle, doing paperwork, waiting
for friends to pick him up, when the men attacked him. Despite heavy
blood loss and some loss of consciousness, he called 911 for help.
Dougherty was taken to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center and
later released. He received staples in his head, stitches in his forehead,
nose and leg and his nose was broken.
Councilman Brent Makarczyk rents to Dougherty and lives in the same
building as the mayor. He heard a car speed away Saturday night and
walked outside to find Dougherty and a friend, who was on the phone.
"Just about the time I got to the car, he collapsed," Makarczyk
said. That's when he noticed the blood. "Joe, he's a fantastic
human being, just a great guy. I don't know what motivated this kind
of attack, but there must be something wrong with these guys,"
he said. "... When you have three guys drag a guy out of a car
and beat him without saying a word to each other, they're either psychic
or they planned this."
Their neighborhood is generally peaceful, Makarczyk said, and he and
his wife will sit on the porch until late at night in the summer.
They rarely see anyone besides neighbors or teenagers walking around.
However, he sees the demographics of the area changing and an increase
in drug activity and knows that is taking a toll.
"With the money issue, it seems like the police department is
doing the best they can but they are spread thin," he said.
The 44-year-old mayor has been a resident of Nanticoke his entire
life, and said nothing of this sort has happened to him before, but
the region is changing and violent incidents are becoming more frequent.
Dougherty cautioned people to be vigilant in their neighborhoods and
keep an eye on their surroundings.
"People voted me into office because they wanted someone to stand
tall and I do, even if I get knocked down. I get back up," he
said.
Shultz said there could be a connection to an attempted burglary at
the Variety Stop, 15 E. Main St., Glen Lyon. Plains Township police
are also investigating several overnight burglaries, but officers
were unable to provide additional details Sunday afternoon.
State police at Shickshinny are investigating a burglary at the Sorber's
Stop and Go Country Side Quick Mart in Union Township, near Hunlock
Creek, that involved a white four-door Chevrolet Cruze that was carjacked
earlier from Nanticoke, according to state police.
Three men about 18 to 25 years old, smashed the glass front door and
entered the store at about 1:33 a.m. Two of the men went inside, stole
cigarettes, lottery tickets and an empty cash register, and then all
three fled in the Chevrolet, headed south.
Hanover Township police are also investigating several overnight burglaries,
at 3:45 a.m. at the Sunoco Service Station on the Sans Souci Highway
and at 4:15 a.m. at Don's Deli on West End Road. Both stores were
entered after front windows were broken. Officers were unable to provide
additional details Sunday afternoon.
Anyone with information
on the carjacking is asked to call Nanticoke City police at 570-735-2200.
Anyone with information on the Union Township burglary is asked to
call state police at Shickshinny at 570-542-4117
6/25/2011
Thief with green thumb on the run
bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com, 570-821-2055
Hanover Township and Nanticoke police are searching
for a wanted fugitive accused of stealing various items from Dundee
Gardens on the San Souci Parkway and who also is also facing prison
time for unrelated charges in county court.
Authorities are looking for Michael A. Laury, 32, of 244 E. Main St.,
Apt. A, in Nanticoke. He is facing felony theft charges in Hanover
Township, along with receiving stolen property and drug charges in
Nanticoke after the stolen goods and drugs were found in his home
during a search, police said.
Laury has been on the run since he failed to report to prison on May
23 to begin serving a one to two year prison sentence on previous
drug and theft charges, police said.
According to arrest papers filed by Hanover Township and Nanticoke
police:
Laury and his girlfriend subleased a room of their apartment to two
women. After numerous odd garden items appeared in the home, one of
the women, Cassandra Friese became suspicious. The items included
a fountain, garden gnomes, an outdoor fireplace, a birdbath, bronze
statues, concrete figurines and plants.
Friese then questioned Laury, who admitted the items were taken from
Dundee Gardens. Friese then went to the business to report the theft.
Nanticoke police served a search warrant at the property on May 20
and located the stolen items, worth more than $2,000.
Anyone with information on Laury's whereabouts is asked to call 911,
Hanover Township police at 570-825-1250, or Nanticoke police at 570-735-2200.
6/25/2011
A man was arraigned Thursday night on charges
he received items that were stolen during a home burglary
Times Leader
Joshua Charles Frame, 29, of East Main Street, Nanticoke,
was charged with receiving stolen property and criminal conspiracy.
He was arraigned by District Judge Paul Roberts in Kingston and released
on $7,500 unsecured bail.
State police at Wyoming allege Frame accepted a television and a Direct
TV box that were stolen from a Lake Township house in September, according
to the criminal complaint.
State police recovered the items inside residence of Frame’s
former girlfriend on East Main Street.
6/23/2011
A man was arraigned Wednesday in Wilkes-Barre
Central Court on charges he assaulted a woman inside her residence.
Times Leader
Paul Halliday, 36, of West Ridge Street, Nanticoke,
was charged with three counts of criminal mischief, and one count
each of burglary, criminal trespass, false imprisonment, harassment,
defiant trespass and possession of a controlled substance. He was
jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $2,000
bail.
Police allege Halliday opened a door and entered the woman’s
residence in the 300 block of West Main Street on Tuesday night. Halliday
allegedly struck the woman and refused to let her leave, according
to the criminal complaint.
Police said in the complaint Halliday had 19 prescription tablets
in his pockets.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled on June 28 before District Judge
Donald Whittaker in Nanticoke.
6/23/2011
City police reported the following:
Times Leader
• Edward Wiernusz, of South Hanover Street,
reported a patio chair and an ottoman were stolen from his patio.
• Eclipse Fleet Service, of West Grand Street, reported two windows
were smashed at its building.
• Joseph Zdziarski, of West Noble Street, reported someone flattened
a tire on his vehicle.
• Debbie Rentko, of West Union Street, reported jewelry and electronics
were stolen during a burglary at her residence.
• Police said they cited Kara Young , of East Grand Street, with
public drunkenness when she was allegedly found intoxicated and vomiting
in an alley near East Washington Street. Police said Young was wanted
on unrelated summary warrants.
• Donald Sullivan, of West Main Street, reported someone keyed
his vehicle.
• Police arrested Steven Tagnani, 21, of East Broad Street, on
charges he assaulted his stepbrother and stole a vehicle on Friday.
Tagnani was charged with robbery of a vehicle, unauthorized use of
a vehicle, simple assault and harassment. He was jailed at the Luzerne
County Correctional Facility for lack of $25,000 bail.
Police allege Tagnani assaulted Ronald Sokoloski and stole Sokoloski’s
vehicle, according to the criminal complaint.
Police recovered the vehicle near Tagnani’s residence.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled on June 28 before District Judge
Donald Whittaker in Nanticoke.
6/18/2011
Second steroid charge for former Nanticoke
man
Times Leader
A former Nanticoke man who pleaded guilty in 2008
to distributing anabolic steroids has been charged a second time with
selling the performance enhancing drugs.
Peter Sepling and John Nikoloff, no address listed, were indicted
last week by a federal grand jury on charges of distributing a controlled
substance and several related offenses.
According to the indictment, Sepling and Nikoloff sold and distributed
several types of anabolic steroids, as well as the gamma butyrolactone
(GBL), a chemical that is utilized as a recreational drug, in Luzerne
County from April 21 till April 26.
Sepling was among nine people who were charged by federal authorities
in 2007 with operating a drug ring that distributed steroids and several
types of “club drugs” in Luzerne and other counties.
He was sentenced in April 2008 to 2 years in prison on that case.
He was released from prison in February 2010, according to the federal
department of corrections.
The latest indictment says Sepling and Nikoloff smuggled the drugs
into the United States from China.The indictment does not provide
any further details of the operation.
6/17/2011
City police reported the following incidents
Citizens Voice
John Storm of River Street reported someone stole
a 30 pack of Coors Light and a bottle of vodka from a cooler on his
deck.
Cohen Miller, of Beaumont Street, Warrior Run, reported someone threw
a large rock through the windshield of his vehicle.
Brenda Klos of Apollo Circle reported someone put sugar in her gas
tank.
Jeffrey Montgomery of East Main Street, Glen Lyon, reported someone
smashed the passenger rear window of his vehicle on Front Street
Tanya Belcher, of West South Street, reported someone threw a rock
at her window.
Alex Oko, of East Church Street, reported someone keyed both sides
and the hood of his vehicle.
Scott Weber of West Church Street reported someone stole his sliver
and black bike.
Michael Sarnak of South Hanover Street reported someone smashed out
the driver's side of window of his vehicle.
John Pipan of Ridgeview reported someone broke the door and window
of a property he owns on South Prospect Street in Nanticoke.
Tracey Applybey, of West Green Street, reported someone attempted
to steal the license plate off her vehicle.
Dorothy Pugh of Lawrence Street reported someone threw three lawn
chairs into her in-ground pool.
Karen Hazleton reported someone spray-painted graffiti on the sidewalk
and front door steps of a property she owns on Front Street.
6/17/2011
A man was arraigned Tuesday on a charge he
sent several text messages to a woman in violation of a protection
from abuse order
Times Leader
Scott Alfonso, 18, of Enterprise Street, Nanticoke,
was charged with stalking and violating a PFA. He was arraigned by
District Judge Donald Whittaker and released without bail.
Police allege Alfonso sent five text messages to a woman who obtained
a PFA against him in February, according to the criminal complaint.
A preliminary hearing on the stalking charge is scheduled on June
21. A hearing on the alleged PFA violation is scheduled on June 23
in county court.
5/26/2011
Police Blotter
Times Leader
A man wanted for stealing metal from a railroad line and stealing
a television from a store was allegedly captured with heroin and syringes
Tuesday night, police said.
Police apprehended Michael Gordon Briggs, 25, last known address as
South Hanover Street, Nanticoke, at about 10:55 p.m. after receiving
information he was at an apartment on South Market Street.
Police allege Briggs was in possession of heroin stamped “pain
killer” and several syringes. He struggled with an officer when
he was arrested, police allege.
Briggs was wanted by police on charges he stole a television from
Weis Market in Nanticoke on Sept. 7.
Canadian Pacific police charged Briggs, along with Connie Marie Mihalichko,
20, and Luke Galazin, 23, both of Ashley, of stealing metal from a
railroad line near Breaker Road in Hanover Township on April 1.
Briggs was arraigned in Wilkes-Barre Central Court on five counts
of possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of resisting arrest,
and one count each of criminal conspiracy, defiant trespass, theft,
escape, criminal attempt to escape, possession of a controlled substance
and retail theft. He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional
Facility for lack of $16,000 bail.
Briggs is scheduled for preliminary hearings on charges filed by Nanticoke
police and Canadian Pacific police on May 31 before district judges
Donald Whittaker in Nanticoke and Joseph Halesey in Hanover Township.
Mihalichko and Galazin are scheduled for preliminary hearings on June
7 before Halesey.
5/7/2011
A Wilkes-Barre man was charged with assault
and harassment for pulling off the shirt and bra of his pregnant girlfriend
after he dumped a can of soda over her head in Nanticoke.
Citizens Voice
Nanticoke police filed the charges against Joshua
S. Henrie, 21, of Scott Street following the April 13 incident at
the rear of a residence in the 300 block of East Washington Street,
according to a probable cause affidavit filed with Magisterial District
Justice Donald Whittaker of Nanticoke.
They said the victim was inside a car when Henrie reached through
the window to remove her clothes, the affidavit said.
5/7/2011
Casings recovered in Nanticoke drive-by shooting
Citizens Voice
Nanticoke police recovered six shell casings after
receiving reports that shots were fired from a vehicle Thursday night.
Witnesses said the passenger in a dark, small to mid-sized vehicle
fired five shots from a small-caliber weapon at 11:50 p.m. in the
area of Coal Street and two more shots at Apollo Circle, police said.
While no person, vehicle or building was hit by what police called
a reckless act, they ask anyone who can help locate the shooter to
call them at 570-735-2200.
5/6/2011
Times Leader
City police reported the following:
• Len Stefaniak, of West Green Street, reported
someone tried to enter his residence through a basement door.
• Police cited Kenneth Sliker, of Apollo Circle, with public
drunkenness after investigating a disturbance in the Apollo Circle
apartment complex.
• Lillian Garcia, of East Washington Street, reported someone
forced open the front door to her residence, causing damage.
• John Heck, of Coal Street, reported a 9 mm handgun and a loaded
magazine were stolen from his residence.
• Frank Castrignano reported copper pipe was stolen from a house
he owns on East Ridge Street.
• Donna Littzi, of East Green Street, reported someone slashed
a tire on her vehicle.
• May Burger reported a window was smashed on a house she owns
on East Ridge Street.
• Steven Bruns, of West Green Street, reported someone vandalized
his vehicle.
• Jamie Coen, of West South Street, reported someone damaged
a wheel on her lawn mower.
• Jill Jeffries, of River Street, reported a two-cycle mini Harley-Davidson
and a weed trimmer were stolen from her shed.
• Robert Ottensman, of River Street, reported a child’s
gas-powered quad was stolen from his shed.
• John Storm, of River Street, reported a pad lock was cut on
a storage trailer. No items were stolen.
• Police charged William James Cupp, 53, last known address as
West Green Street, with violating a protection from abuse order on
April 28, when Loretta Fenner claimed he slapped her on West Green
Street.
• Police charged Desalegn Y. Tefera, 30, of Wilkes-Barre, with
violating a protection from abuse order on April 29, when Rahel Alemu
claimed he contacted her at Luzerne County Community College.
• Police charged William Michael Conway, 25, of Nanticoke, with
violating a protection from abuse order on May 1, when he allegedly
confronted his ex-girlfriend, Erin Shea, while she was shopping at
Weis Markets.
5/5/2011
Police: Father pulls knife on 14-year-old
daughter
Citizens' Voice
A Nanticoke father, Brian Halaburda, was charged
with attempted assault when he pulled a knife on his 14-year-old daughter
during a domestic dispute on Tuesday night at their home on Hanover
Street, city police said in a probable cause affidavit.
The fight started when Halaburda and his wife asked their daughter
where she got money to buy new clothes, the affidavit said.
4/27/2011
Nanticoke police probe robbery, burglary
incidents
Citizens Voice
The Turkey Hill Minit Market at 460 W. Main St. was
robbed Tuesday just after 4 p.m. and the suspect fled on foot, police
said.
According to police, a white male in his late teens, about 5 foot
9 inches tall, weighing about 150 pounds and wearing a navy blue hooded
jacked, faded blue jeans and a blue handkerchief across his face entered
the store and demanded the clerk open the cash register and give him
all the money. The suspect fled with a small amount of cash.
Later that night, Nanticoke police investigated a
house burglary in the 200 block of Enterprise Street. The victims
said they left their home at about 7:30 and returned home at about
11 p.m. to find their garage door kicked in.
According to police, the suspect or suspects entered the house through
an inside garage door and stole jewelry, watches, weapons and personal
checks.
Anyone with any information about the crimes is
asked to call Nanticoke police at 735-2200, ext. 201.
4/14/2011
Cops check on report of man banging on doors;
arrest fugitive
elewis@timesleader.com
A woman at the bar apparently had no interest in
the man from Nanticoke -- but police did.
James Michael Hughes told township police he was with a woman at Mugs
and Jugs Bar on Oxford Street early Wednesday morning, according to
the criminal complaint, when the woman left and did not return. Hughes,
22, of East State Street, said he walked to an apartment complex looking
for friends and a place to stay early Wednesday morning.
Township police encountered Hughes while investigating a report of
a suspicious man banging on doors at Marion Terrace Apartments on
Mark Drive around 2:30 a.m.
According to the latest criminal complaint:
Police said the banging led to the capture of fugitive Hughes, who
was wanted by the Luzerne County sheriffs and adult probation departments
for missing a court hearing and violating probation.
After his capture, police said, Hughes used another name to hide his
true identity.
He was allegedly found in possession of a pill that he did not have
a prescription for.
Hughes was arraigned in Wilkes-Barre Central Court on charges of giving
false identification to law enforcement, disorderly conduct and possession
of a controlled substance. He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional
Facility for lack of $10,000 bail.
According to court records, Hughes was sentenced Feb. 7 to 36 months
probation with the first six months on house arrest on charges of
simple assault and possession of a controlled substance. Those charges
involved allegations that Hughes assaulted two township police officers
and a paramedic on Oct. 23, 2009, and was in possession of heroin
during a traffic stop in Wilkes-Barre on May 7, 2010.
In an unrelated case, Hughes was wanted by the county Sheriff’s
Department on a warrant accusing him of skipping a preliminary hearing
on March 29 on felony assault charges, according to arrest and court
records.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled on April 19 before District Judge
Joseph Halesey in Hanover Township.
4/14/2011
Nanticoke man crashes truck into moving train
Amanda Christman - Citizens' Voice
A Nanticoke man drove his pickup truck into a moving train in Hazle
Village this morning, escaping with only a neck injury but snarling
morning traffic on state Route 309.
State police at Hazleton said Robert Pashinski, 51, was northbound when
he slammed into the moving freight train at about 9:20 a.m.
There is no gate at the crossing and Pashinski told police he didn't
hear the train or see flashing warning lights until it was too late.
The accident happened in Hazle Township on tracks that traverse the
four-lane highway between the Pennsylvania Driver License Center and
the intersection with state Route 424, just south of the Hazleton city
line.
The train was pulling multiple freight cars labeled "Norfolk Southern
Railroad" and was heading west on the tracks when Pashinski drove
into it, police said.
Route 309 was blocked to motorists south of Route 424 and north of the
railroad tracks as emergency workers cleaned up the scene and a tow
truck loaded Pashinski's Dodge Ram pickup onto a flatbed around 10:15
a.m.
The train remained stopped on the tracks, blocking Route 309 until police
gave the conductor the authorization to roll away shortly after 10 a.m.
Pashinski, who was hauling a wrecked Toyota Corolla and a motorcycle
to a Hazleton area junkyard with his pickup truck, sustained minor injuries,
police said.
Police said they will cite him for various motor vehicle violations
at district court in Hazle Township.
The pickup truck sustained front end damage and the train was not damaged.
Hazleton Fire Department, Hazle Township Fire and Rescue, Hazleton police
and McAdoo Ambulance responded.
4/13/2011
City police reported the following incidents
Tuesday:
Citizens' Voice
> Judith Kotch told police someone forced entry
into her West Grand Street home and stole a 47-inch Zenith flat-screen
plasma television.
> Michelle Cardinal of Loomis Street said someone entered her house
and stole a brown leather Raiders wallet and its contents.
> Someone broke into the Pinnacle Roofing warehouse and stole 20
sheets of 3-inch by 8-inch copper flashing.
> Someone stole 75 feet of green garden hose from the side of Harry
Worke's Beaumont Street, Warrior Run, home.
> William Voyton of West Grand Street reported someone spray-painted
a silver line across the top of the rear door of his vehicle.
> Kimberly Miller of Hill Street and Adam Zwolinski of West Church
Street reported having the windshields of their vehicles shot with
BB guns. Thomas Powell of Lee Mine Street said his rear passenger-side
door window was shot with a BB gun.
> Ron Lamarca said someone struck the fence post at the rear of
his Pine Street residence.
Two Nanticoke men are charged
with violating protection from abuse orders in two separate incidents.
Andrew Wisneski, 22, of Nanticoke, was arrested at
2:37 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant after a Hanover Township officer saw
him riding a bike in the area of the Sans Souci Parkway.
William James Cupp, 53, formerly of West Green Street, was arrested
by Nanticoke police Saturday morning after allegedly harassing his
ex-girlfriend by saying, "How nice, look at the love birds"
when he saw her walking with her new boyfriend and phoning her later.
Cupp was not supposed to have any contact with his ex-girlfriend.
4/13/2011
Police Blotter
Times Leader
A man accused of ramming his vehicle into a car driven
by a former girlfriend waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday
before District Judge Donald Whittaker.
Steven Todd Price, 40, of Buttonwood Avenue,
Wilkes-Barre, waived charges of stalking and accidents involving damage
to attended vehicle to Luzerne County Court.
Nanticoke police withdrew charges of reckless
endangerment, simple assault and five traffic violations against Price.
Police allege Angela Espinosa reported on Feb.
3 that her vehicle was struck by a Ford Escape, driven by Price, on
West Washington Street. She followed Price, who she claimed made a
motion with his hand across his throat, according to a police news
release.
4/12/2011
Cops: Bath salts tied to break-in
Times Leader Staff
A man who allegedly told police he was high on bath
salts was charged with burglary after authorities said they found
him inside of a classroom building at Luzerne County Community College
early Monday morning.
Matthew J. Furr, 32, of Middleburg, was charged with burglary and
criminal trespass.
He was jailed at the county prison for lack of $10,000 bail.
According to the criminal complaint:
A security guard at the college noticed an open door at Building 4,
which is the science building, around 1:30 a.m.
Police searched the building and allegedly found Furr sleeping in
a corner of room 436.
Furr told police he hopped on a freight train in Sunbury to Wilkes-Barre
two days ago and found himself wandering around the area.
He consumed bath salts and started feeling chest pains, the complaint
says.
Furr said he walked on Kosciuszko Street looking for help and found
himself lying in the roadway.
He got up and ended up on campus, claiming he found an open door to
a building.
Furr said he entered the building looking for help, according to the
complaint.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled on April 19 before District Judge
Donald Whittaker.
4/5/2011
Police Blotter
Times Leader
A Nanticoke woman was sentenced Monday to four years probation on
several charges of indecent exposure in which police say she exposed
herself to children and neighbors.
Kathleen Levandowski, 43, of Apollo Circle, was sentenced on three
counts of indecent exposure, two counts of driving under the influence
and one count of harassment by Luzerne County Senior Judge Joseph
Augello.
Augello also ordered Levandowski to serve seven days on house arrest
with an electronic monitor and to undergo mental-health and drug-and-alcohol
evaluations. She pleaded guilty to the charges in February.
According to court records, on April 19, 2010, Levandowski exposed
her genitals while on the hood of a neighbor’s vehicle outside
her home, and performed obscene acts in the yard and when officers
arrived.
On May 22, two different neighbors reported Levandowski flashed her
breasts at children playing in a nearby playground and to holding
a bouquet of daisies while nude outside her home.
3/31/2011
Area man acquitted of rape
Daniel Drury Sr. testified false allegation he assaulted girl was
result of charge he filed.
sdelazio@timesleader.com
After nearly seven hours of deliberations, a Luzerne
County jury acquitted a Nanticoke man of raping an 11-year-old girl
in 2002.
The jury of 11 men and one woman found Daniel Drury Sr., not guilty
of five related charges, including rape of a child.
“I’m not guilty,” Drury, 46, said while leaving the
Bernard C. Brominski courthouse building Wednesday evening. “It’s
all because of allegations…that someone has to go through this
because of a bad divorce. It’s a shame…”
Drury’s attorney, Thomas Cometa, said he is happy the jury listened
to evidence and gave the case great thought before delivering its
verdict of not guilty on charges of rape of a person under 13 years
old, aggravated indecent assault, incest, indecent assault and corruption
of minors.
Prosecutors alleged Drury raped the girl shortly after her 11th birthday
in 2002. The now 19-year-old woman did not report the incident until
2008 when she began having vivid nightmares, she testified Monday.
The woman cried while the verdict was read Wednesday evening, while
members of Drury’s family hugged and gave Drury the thumbs-up.
Cometa said the delay in reporting the incident could be one factor
the jury weighed in its verdict.
Luzerne County Senior Judge Joseph Augello, who presided over the
trial, said Drury will be released from the county prison pending
any detainers.
Drury testified Tuesday he believed the alleged rape story was fabricated
against him in retaliation for filing harassment charges against his
ex-wife.
He testified that in 2008 he filed harassment charges against his
ex-wife, Gail, and that at a hearing before a district judge both
were found not guilty of harassment.
He said he had a drinking problem at the time, and rather than "getting
drunk and doing something stupid," he had been planning for some
time to move to Florida and decided to follow through with his plans.
He said he moved to Florida in late 2008, not because he wanted to
flee Nanticoke to avoid getting arrested, but because he wanted to
start a new life away from his ex-wife and his drinking problem.
He said he had no idea charges were being filed against him. He said
he knew Luzerne County Children and Youth Services had conducted an
investigation on him, but he added that he thought that investigation
was closed.
Drury also said he did speak with Nanticoke police about the alleged
incident, but the police never told him they were filing charges against
him and never told him not to leave Nanticoke.
Nanticoke police, Drury said, never said they didn’t believe
him when he denied the allegations, and said they would call him if
they needed him.
4/27/2011
A third person has been charged in connection
with a theft from Pennsylvania American Water Co.
Police Blotter - Times Leader
Township police said Jodelle Lamoreaux, 41, of West
Field Street, Nanticoke, was arraigned on Thursday before District
Judge Michael Dotzel, Wilkes-Barre Township.
Lamoreaux along with Joshua G. Hallas, 28, of Ridge Street, Nanticoke,
and Kristin M. Smith, 38, of Loomis Street, Glen Lyon, Newport Township,
are accused of stealing a steel cutting blade from the water company
on South Main Street on Tuesday afternoon.
Hallas and Smith, who were stopped by a water company employee, were
charged with conspiracy to commit theft, theft by unlawful taking
and criminal trespass. An arrest warrant had been issued for Lamoreaux,
who fled before police arrived, police said.
Lamoreaux was released on her own recognizance. Her preliminary hearing
is scheduled for April 4 before District Judge Joseph Halesey in Hanover
Township.
Hallas and Smith are free on $10,000 unsecured bail. They have a preliminary
hearing before Halesey at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.
4/23/2011
Plymouth man charged with sex abuse of girls
By Bob Kalinowski Citizens' Voice
A 51-year-old man is facing a slew of child sex charges
for sexually abusing two young girls at homes in Nanticoke and Plymouth
between 2002 and 2005, police said today.
Robert Caravella is accused of preying on and violating the girls
at his former home on North Chestnut Street in Nanticoke and his current
home on Gould Street in Plymouth.
The girls, now 15 and 10, recently described the horrors of the alleged
abuse to investigators, arrest papers say.
Caravella made the girls view pornographic magazines and then forcibly
subjected them to sexual acts, according to charges filed today.
Caravella was arraigned this morning in Wilkes-Barre Central Court
by Senior Magisterial District Judge Andrew Barilla.
He is charged with 36 counts of charges, which include involuntary
deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault of a victim
less than 13, aggravated indecent assault of a child, illegal contact
with a minor, corruption of minors, endangering the welfare of children.
Barilla ordered Caravella jailed in the Luzerne County Correctional
Facility in lieu of $25,000 cash bail.
A preliminary hearing was tentatively scheduled for March 29 in front
of Magisterial District Judge Donald Whittaker in Nanticoke.
3/18/2011
Two brothers were arraigned Thursday on charges
they robbed a woman in December. One is wanted for alleged attempted
murder in New York City, authorities said.
Times Leader
Anthony McClinton, 23, and his brother, Alonzo McClinton,
28, of Bronx, N.Y.C., were captured by police and the New York City
Fugitive Task Force on Wednesday night. Anthony McClinton was captured
in a parking lot near Apollo Circle and Alonzo was captured at an
apartment at Apollo Circle.
Anthony McClinton was wanted for a shooting in New York City on March
13.
Nanticoke police charged the two men for allegedly robbing and assaulting
a woman at her residence on Hanover Street on Dec. 3. During a struggle
with the woman, a shot from a gun struck a door, according to the
criminal complaint.
Police also charged Alonzo McClinton with stealing a vehicle he asked
to borrow from a woman on Dec. 5, the complaint says. The woman learned
Alonzo took the vehicle to New York City.
The two men were arraigned in Wilkes-Barre Central Court on six counts
of robbery, and one count each of theft and simple assault. Alonzo
McClinton was also charged with theft, unauthorized use of a vehicle
and being a fugitive from justice.
Alonzo was jailed at the county prison for lack of $310,000 bail,
and Anthony McClinton was jailed for lack of $300,000 bail.
Preliminary hearings are scheduled on March 22 before District Judge
Donald Whittaker in Nanticoke.
3/16/2011
15-30 months in sex assault case
Matthew Souder, 26, charged with having an inappropriate relationship
with girl, 14.
sdelazio@timesleader.com
A Nanticoke man charged with having an inappropriate
relationship with a 14-year-old girl was sentenced Tuesday to 15 to
30 months in county prison.
Matthew Souder, 26, with a last known address of East Green Street,
was sentenced by Luzerne County Judge David Lupas on one count of
statutory sexual assault.
Souder pleaded guilty to the charge in January.
“I’m sorry about what happened…very sorry,” Souder
said before his sentencing.
The girl’s mother also spoke Tuesday, saying her daughter suffers
from horrible nightmares, can’t sleep at night and attends counseling.
Souder’s attorney, Thomas Cometa, said his client has accepted
responsibility for his actions. He said alcohol was a major factor
in Souder’s conduct and there were no allegations of force made.
According to court papers:
On July 15, a then-14-year-old girl told police that on July 2 she
and Souder had sexual intercourse at an East Ridge Street, Nanticoke,
residence.
The girl told police that on July 2 she went to her friend’s
home, where she had been going on weekends since the beginning of
the summer.
The girl said she and her friend played video games when Souder asked
if they wanted to smoke some marijuana. The girl said Souder called
her a chicken and that she eventually did smoke marijuana.
The girl said Souder also had alcohol and that several drinks were
consumed at the residence. The girl said her friend eventually fell
asleep and that she went to bed, police said.
That’s when, the girl said, she and Souder spoke for a few minutes
in the bedroom when Souder asked her to take off her pants.
The girl said she refused at least three times before she complied.
Police said Souder initially denied having intercourse with the girl
or giving anyone alcohol or marijuana.
He later told police it was the girl who initiated intercourse with
him, according to court papers.
3/11/2011
Police Blotter
Times Leader
A homeless man was arraigned Wednesday in Wilkes-Barre Central Court
on charges he stole a cell phone and money from an apartment.
Police charged Daryl Lowyn, 40, with theft and public drunkenness.
He was jailed at the county prison for lack of $10,000 bail.
Police alleged Lowyn stole a cell phone and money from an apartment
in Nanticoke Towers on March 1 or March 2. He also appeared in public
while intoxicated on Prospect Street on Tuesday, according to the
criminal complaint.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled on March 15 before District Judge
Donald Whittaker in Nanticoke.
3/8/2011
Times Leader
Police report
Justin Wiermusz, of South Hanover Street, reported someone kicked
in the door to his grandfather’s garage.
3/1/2011
Updated: 2:06 PM
LCCC student caught with gun on campus
elewis@timesleader.com
A student at Luzerne County Community College was
charged with possessing a gun on campus Tuesday morning.
Christian Zaccagni Sr. said he forgot the firearm, which he said weighs
three ounces, was in his coat. Zaccagni said the firearm was discovered
during anatomy class. He claimed to be a nursing student at the college.
Zaccagni, 47, of Dana Street, Wilkes-Barre, was arraigned by District
Judge Donald Whittaker on charges of firearms not to be carried without
a license and possession of a firearm on school property. He was jailed
at Luzerne County Prison for lack of $10,000 bail.
Police said the firearm was a .38 caliber handgun, according to arrest
papers.
3/1/2011
Man linked to deadly shooting waives meth
charges
elewis@timesleader.com
A man linked to a deadly shooting inside a Hunlock
Township trailer last month waived his right to a preliminary hearing
on Tuesday on charges he sold methamphetamine to police.
Jeffrey Laton, 40, of Wapwallopen, waived two counts of possession
with intent to deliver a controlled substance to Luzerne County Court.
Nanticoke police withdrew two other counts of possession with intent
to deliver a controlled substance, and two counts of possession of
a controlled substance and criminal use of communication facility.
Nanticoke police alleged Laton sold methamphetamine to an informant
on July 2 and July 18, according to arrest records.
Laton was arrested Feb. 9 after a deadly shooting at a trailer on
Old Tavern Road in Hunlock Township.
State police said Robert Muntz, 44, was killed in the shooting.
Laton's girlfriend, Amanda Bowman, 28, was shot in the arm in the
trailer, according to search warrant affidavits.
State police said the trailer was being used to manufacture methamphetamine.
Bowman and another woman, Denyse Sedorchuk, 35, told state police
Muntz was one of three masked intruders who forced their way inside
the trailer.
No charges have been filed regarding the fatal shooting.
2/28/2011
Police said that on Saturday they arrested
Patrick Myers, 36, of East Green Street, Nanticoke, after a three-week
investigation.
Times Leader
Myers fought with police and had to be subdued with
a stun gun when police attempted to take him into custody in the parking
lot of the Burger King, police said. Police said they recovered one-quarter
pound of marijuana from Myers.
Myers faces multiple counts of delivery of
a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled
substance and possession of a controlled substance, police said. He
also was charged with resisting arrest. Myers was arraigned by District
Judge Joseph Carmody and committed to the Luzerne County Correctional
Facility for lack of $100,000 bail.
Police said they previously arrested Myers
for selling marijuana in 2006.
2/26/2011
Police Blotter
Times Leader
• Robert Zaremba, 24, of Nanticoke was charged
with theft for taking money from a sympathy and prayer box at the
Exaltation of the Holy Cross Church on Main Road on Feb. 3, police
said. Zaremba admitted stealing the money, police said.
• Nicholas Watkins, 23, of Nanticoke was charged with racing
on highways and other traffic citations after a crash on state Route
29 on Wednesday, police said. Watkins’s vehicle struck a guide
rail and was disabled, police said. A white Ford Mustang fled the
scene, police said.
• Lukasz J. Stachurski, 27, of Nanticoke was charged with disorderly
conduct and harassment after a disturbance at Austie’s Restaurant
on Feb. 18, police said. Witnesses and a victim claimed Stachurski
attacked a patron and a waitress attempting to break up the scuffle,
police said. The waitress and patron were not injured. Stachurski
fled the scene and later contacted Nanticoke police claiming he was
assaulted.
• State parole agents looking searching for a parolee Friday
night found bags containing more than 6 pounds of marijuana, $515
in cash and a scale in a residence in the rear of East Main Street,
police said.
The occupant, Shawnese Lynn Taylor, 23, faces possession with intent
to deliver, possession of marijuana, conspiracy and possession of
drug paraphernalia charges, police said.
Taylor was taken into custody and was to be arraigned, police said.
She also is wanted in Monroe County on an outstanding warrant. The
investigation continues and additional arrests are expected, police
said.
2/25/2011
Intruder apprehended after breaking into
residences of elderly
By Bob Kalinowski and Erin Moody (Staff Writers) - Citizens Voice
Bob Stachyra was ready to shoot the intruder. But
his 85-year-old mother said no.
Scared off by the threat of deadly force around 5 a.m. Thursday during
the break-in at a South Prospect Street residence, the burglar then
smashed his way inside another elderly woman's home a few doors away,
police said.
Jamie T. Lohman's home invasion spree soon ended when he fled the
second home, spurred by the victim's 911 call, and encountered Nanticoke
cops, police said.
Stachyra of Saylorsburg said he and family were at the 1016 S. Prospect
St. home early Thursday, preparing to take his mother, Stella, to
the casino for her 85th birthday. Then, they heard a smash. The suspect,
the woman's tenant on the other side of the double-block, soon emerged.
The man wielded a metal ice chopper and hammer.
Stachyra, 55, cocked his gun and threatened to shoot.
"She said 'don't shoot,' and he ran out the window. I wouldn't
have had a problem. I listened to my mother and didn't shoot, and
the cops said I would have had the right to shoot," Stachyra
said.
"It was a heck of a thing to wake up to - a guy standing there
about 3 feet on the other side of the window holding an ice scraper,"
Stachyra recalled.
Lohman, 37, dropped the ice chopper and hammer, then fled out the
window he smashed, Stachyra said. Police say he then broke into 1006
S. Prospect St., where 87-year-old Eleanor Grotkowski was sleeping
in her bedroom.
According to arrest papers filed with Magisterial District Judge Donald
Whittaker in Nanticoke:
Grotkowski told police she heard a loud noise and then Lohman appeared
in her doorway. She said she recognized Lohman, of 1014 S. Prospect
St., as a neighbor who helped her clear snow days earlier. Lohman
then barricaded the bedroom, moving her chest of drawers in front
of the door. As Grotkowski yelled for him to leave, Lohman turned
his back to her. She grabbed a phone on her night stand and called
911. Lohman fled.
Nanticoke police Sgt. Mike Roke and Officer Amos Vanderhoff were outside
the home when Lohman emerged. After Lohman ignored commands, Roke
deployed his Taser and took Lohman into custody.
Police believe Lohman was under the influence of crack, but are unsure
what his intentions were, said Nanticoke police Detective Capt. William
Shultz.
"I don't know what he was thinking," Shultz said.
The women were traumatized, but uninjured, he said.
"You're talking about 85-year-old and 87-year-old women. They
said their hearts were racing," Shultz said.
The only injuries reported in the incident were to Lohman himself.
He suffered cuts and abrasions to his hands, arms and legs as well
as an ankle injury, police said.
His blood was tracked throughout both homes, police and the victims
said.
"There's blood on the walls on the inside, where he got cut from
the glass, and he bled on the rugs, so we have to get that cleaned,"
Stachyra said.
Stachyra said two days before the incident, Lohman knocked on the
door, barged inside, and ran up to the bathroom to call 911 following
a domestic dispute next door, Stachyra said. Stachyra said he was
glad he had a gun on hand Thursday to scare Lohman off.
"If that wasn't there, he could have came in swinging and hurt
a lot of people," Stachyra said. "This morning, thank God
we were getting up early. Mom is OK. I'm just glad we were there."
Authorities filed two separate criminal complaints against Lohman
- one for each residence - that include charges of burglary, attempted
burglary, criminal trespassing, attempted theft and possessing instruments
of a crime.
Due to his injuries, Lohman was arraigned by Whittaker at Geisinger
Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Township, where he was expected
to undergo surgery. Whittaker set bail at $150,000 cash.
Lohman was transferred from the hospital to Luzerne County Correctional
Facility on Thursday night.
bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com, 570-821-2055
emoody@citizensvoice.com, 570-821-2051
2/22/2011
Police charged Michael John Ondek, 54, of
West Kirmar Avenue, Nanticoke, on evidence of drunken driving after
a crash on East Main Street on Feb. 4.
Times Leader
Ondek was charged with two counts of driving under
the influence and a traffic citation. The charges were filed with
District Judge Donald Whittaker and mailed to Ondek.
Police alleged Ondek had a BAC of .263 percent,
the criminal complaint says.
2/19/2011
Nanticoke police arrest knife-wielding suspect
in convenience store robbery
Citizens' Voice
Nanticoke police have charged a man in the Jan. 25
knifepoint robbery of a city convenience store.
Christopher Page was caught, police said, when he returned to the
Coco Hut store a week later to make a cash wire transfer and the clerk
recognized him as the robber.
Page, 36, of 60 W. Green St., Apt. 3, was charged Friday with robbery
and theft.
According to police, Page entered the store around 2:35 a.m. on Jan.
25 and pulled a butcher knife after asking for a carton of cigarettes.
Page then took the cash drawer from the register and fled, police
said.
On Feb. 2, Page returned to the store and made a cash wire transfer
and in the process, gave his name to the store manager. Police later
located Page and arrested him.
While Page denied the robbery, a clerk identified him in a photo lineup
and police said he matches the description of the robbery suspect
in surveillance footage.
2/18/2011
Citizens' Voice
City police reported the following incidents:
> James Gordon, of Garfield Street, was arrested
after a disturbance at his home. Police said he was told to cease
his actions and he followed police outside with a can of beer in his
hand.
> Marie Yandrofski of East Ridge Street reported someone smashed
out the rear window of her vehicle.
> Police arrested Kara Young for assaulting her live-in boyfriend,
Shawn Miller, at 412 E. Grand St. because Miller was on the phone
with his ex-girlfriend, making arrangements to pick up their child.
Police said Young, who is five months pregnant, threw a lit cigarette
and a coffee mug at Miller, choked him and then bit him on the face.
> Michael J. Ondek, 54, was charged with driving under the influence
of alcohol following a head-on crash Feb. 4 on East Main Street near
the 109th Field Artillery armory.
> Police arrested Jason Slater, 27, for showing up at his ex-girlfriend's
residence in the East Side Apartment, pounding on the door and harassing
her. The woman, Laura Rasmus, told police Slater is homeless and has
been staying in the vestibule, stairwell and laundry room of the complex
and refuses to leave her alone. While investigating Rasmus' complaint,
police noticed Slater emerge from the laundry room and apprehended
him after a brief chase. Slater is charged with loitering and prowling
at nighttime, criminal trespass, harassment, and public drunkenness.
2/5/2011
Police say man defied PFA, stalked his ex-girlfriend
bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com, 570-821-2055
Defying a protection from abuse order against him,
a Wilkes-Barre man stalked his ex-girlfriend Thursday in Nanticoke
and then rammed her vehicle with his car at West Washington Street,
police said.
Police say Steven T. Price, 40, fled from the scene, but the victim
called 911 and followed him until he was apprehended in Hanover Township.
Price is charged with stalking, violating a PFA order, simple assault,
fleeing the scene of a crash, reckless driving, careless driving,
failure to render air and traffic violations.
The victim, Angela Espinosa, said in her PFA application, filed Jan.
12, that Price has continued to harass and stalk her since she broke
off their weeks-long relationship in November. She said he follows
her, shows up at her job and has threatened to "slash my throat."
Price was jailed in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility before
being released on $25,000 bail.
According to arrest papers filed with Magisterial District Judge Donald
Whittaker:
Espinosa said she was leaving the Nanticoke Special Care Hospital
around 4:41 p.m., when Price drove past her and bumped her car. While
passing, he made a throat-slashing motion with his hand across his
neck, she said. He turned around, followed her and struck the rear
of Espinosa's vehicle, she said.
Price fled and called 911. Espinosa said she followed Price while
on the phone with a 911 operator. Hanover Township police, which was
on the scene of a traffic stop on Middle Road, eventually stopped
Price's vehicle. When officers told Price to stop, he sounded his
horn, yelled and drove around them. They got in their vehicles and
pursued him to a parking lot, where he stopped, police said.
2/4/2011
Nanticoke man pleads guilty to 6 counts in
child porn case
sdelazio@timesleader.com
A Nanticoke man pleaded guilty Tuesday to six counts
relating to charges that he downloaded child pornography because he
was “curious.”
Jamell L. Amos, 34, of East Ridge Street, entered the plea before
Luzerne County Senior Judge Joseph Augello.
Amos, who faces seven years maximum in prison on each charge, will
be sentenced on May 2.
Augello said Amos will have to register his address under Megan’s
Law and that he is to have no unsupervised contact with children,
the Internet or places children frequent.
Amos was released from the Luzerne County jail pending any detainers
and his unsecured bail is set at $25,000.
According to court records, Amos was arrested after investigators
searched his East Ridge Street apartment in June.
Investigators allege they uncovered several movies showing children
involved in sex acts that were saved on a computer.
Amos said he was “curious” when asked why he downloaded
child porn. He said the more illicit videos he watched, “the
more he was getting into it.”
Amos asked investigators, “Why the (expletive) are people do(ing)
this?”
He said he saved child porn images and videos on DVDs he wanted to
give to police to investigate. Amos said he instead smashed the DVDs
into pieces, which he recycled.
1/27/2011
Times Leader
City police reported the following:
• Police said they captured a fugitive wanted by the New
York State Department of Parole on Tuesday.
Paul Walker, 35, was apprehended at 568 E. Main St. at about 4 a.m.,
police said.
Walker has been wanted by parole officers in New York since December
2008.
He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack
of $50,000 bail.
• Police said they are investigating an armed robbery at the
Cocoa Hut on East Main Street early Tuesday morning.
Police said two employees reported a man entered the store at about
2:37 a.m. and asked for a carton of cigarettes.
When an employee turned to get the cigarettes, the customer displayed
a large butcher type knife and demanded money from the cash register.
Police said the man fled the store with an undetermined amount of
cash and was last seen running on Prospect Street.
Police described the bandit as a white male, 5 feet, 5 inches tall,
medium build, blue or black hooded sweatshirt and an unshaven face.
Anyone with information about the armed robbery is asked to contact
911.
• Marvin Lorah reported copper pipes were stolen from a residence
on West Main Street.
• Paula Oshinski, of South Market Street, reported someone stole
a 19-inch Toshiba flat-screen television from her residence.
• Robert Pauska, of State Street, reported someone stole a Stihl
Farm chain saw, a Craftsman tool set and a compact disc player from
his vehicle.
• Lillian James, of State Street, reported someone stole a Panasonic
compact disc player, a leather coat, tools, a floor jack and compact
discs from her vehicle.
• Rich Kaminski, of Line Street, reported a compact disc player
was stolen from his vehicle.
• Joelle Andrejewski, of West Union Street, reported someone
smashed a window on her vehicle and stole an Enon DVD, compact discs,
a music player, and a touch screen stereo system. The seats, dashboard,
airbags, console and steering wheel were cut, police said.
1/27/2011
Plea ends child-sex case
Matthew F. Souder, 26, of Nanticoke faces a maximum of 10 years in
prison.
sdelazio@timesleader.com
A Nanticoke man charged with having inappropriate
contact with a 14-year-old girl pleaded guilty to a related charge
Wednesday.
Matthew F. Souder, 26, whose last known address
is on East Green Street, entered the plea before Luzerne County Judge
David Lupas to one count of statutory sexual assault.
Prosecutors withdrew two counts of corruption
of minors.
Lupas said Souder faces a maximum of 10 years
in prison when he is sentenced on March 15. Souder had previously
pleaded not guilty to the charges at a December arraignment.
According to court papers, on July 15, a then-14-year-old
girl reported to police that on July 2 she and Souder had sexual intercourse
at an East Ridge Street, Nanticoke, residence.
The girl told police that on July 2 she went
to her friend’s home, where she had been going on weekends since
the beginning of the summer.The girl said she
and her friend played video games when Souder asked if they wanted
to smoke some marijuana.
The girl said Souder called her a chicken and that she eventually
did smoke some marijuana.
The girl said Souder also had alcohol and that
several drinks were consumed at the residence.
The girl said her friend eventually fell asleep
and that she went upstairs to go to bed, police said. That’s
when, the girl said, she and Souder spoke for a few minutes in the
bedroom when Souder asked her to take off her pants. The girl said
she replied no at least three times before she complied.
Police said Souder initially denied having
intercourse with the girl or giving anyone alcohol or marijuana. He
later told police it was the girl who initiated intercourse with him,
according to court papers.
1/21/2011
A man accused by police of burglarizing a
house and stealing copper pipes was arraigned Thursday in Wilkes-Barre
Central Court.
Times Leader
Jonathan Michael Kemmerer, 27, of East Broad Street,
Nanticoke, was charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft, receiving
stolen property, possessing instruments of crime and criminal mischief.
He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack
of $25,000 bail.
According to the criminal complaint:
Police allege Kemmerer entered a home on East
Broad Street and tried to steal two bags of copper pipe that had been
cut earlier on Jan. 19.
Kemmerer was caught by a neighbor who heard
someone inside the house. He allegedly told police another man had
cut the pipes and he was instructed to pick up the copper pipes, the
criminal complaint says.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled on Jan.
25 before District Judge Donald Whittaker in Nanticoke.
1/15/2011
Nanticoke man accused of dealing marijuana
Erin Moody - Citizens Voice
A two-month investigation into marijuana dealing
in Hanover Township and Nanticoke has led to an arrest and the seizure
of more than $10,000, police announced Thursday.
Carl John Thomas May, 18, of Kosciuszko Street,
Nanticoke, was arrested on the Sans Souci Parkway in Hanover Township
and marijuana was seized from his vehicle.
May was arraigned before Magisterial District
Judge Donald Whittaker on a felony charge of possession of a controlled
substance with intent to deliver and misdemeanor charges of possession
of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia with
intent to use. He was taken to Luzerne County Correctional Facility
in lieu of $100,000 straight cash bail.
At about 5:10 p.m. Thursday, a search warrant
was served at a residence on Kosciuszko Street by members of the Luzerne
County Drug Task Force and officers of the Hanover Township and Nanticoke
City police departments.
A pound of marijuana, $10,669 in cash, a digital
scale and plastic bags were seized. May's 2007 Subaru was also seized.
The two-month investigation included purchases
of marijuana by police.
1/15/2011
Times Leader
City police reported the following:
• Police charged Benjamin Fortner, 28, of Apollo
Circle, with disorderly conduct and criminal mischief after he allegedly
damaged a vehicle on Coal Street on Jan. 1. Fortner was also cited
for public drunkenness. A preliminary hearing is scheduled Feb. 1
before District Judge Donald Whittaker in Nanticoke.
• Brandon Rospendowski, of East Broad Street, reported someone
stole the window fabric from his Jeep.
• Brandon Switzer, of East Union Street, reported someone stole
an automotive diagnostic scanner and a stereo from his vehicle.
• Michael Whalley, of South Walnut Street, reported someone stole
his wallet from his vehicle.
• Copper pipes were stolen from a home on Christian Street. The
home is for sale by Century 21.
• Wyoming Valley Transmission, North Market Street, reported
transmissions and other items were stolen from a storage vehicle.
1/8/2011
Kid porn gets man 17.5 years in prison
John Dudkiewicz of Nanticoke is called a
danger to society. He must undergo lifetime supervision.
tmorgan@timesleader.com
