2026 Nanticoke PD News
1/22/2026
Wilkes-Barre man charged in Facebook Marketplace robbery
The sale of a $300 cellphone via Facebook Marketplace turned violent in Nanticoke last month when the seller was attacked and robbed by three men — including the one who set up the deal, city police said.
Anthony Gomez Jr., 23, of Wilkes-Barre, is charged with robbing the victim, Angelkov Nika, near the Great China Restaurant at 175 S. Market St. on the night of Dec. 29.
According to the complaint, Nika agreed to sell Gomez a cellphone for $300, and the pair made the exchange without issue at a Turkey Hill Minit Market.
However, Gomez then began calling Nika, claiming he was having an issue with the phone, police said.
When Nika arrived to meet Gomez at the restaurant, he encountered Gomez and two other men, police said. One of the assailants attacked Nika from the front while the other two jumped in from behind, police said.
Nika reported being punched in the mouth and pistol whipped on the head during the assault, during which one of the men also displayed a black pistol in his waistband, according to the complaint.
The robbers took Nika’s Galaxy S24 Ultra cellphone, valued at $1,300, and a Gucci hat valued at $895 before fleeing the scene, police said.
Nika identified Gomez as one of the assailants, and investigators say they obtained a picture showing him at the restaurant’s counter prior to the robbery taking place.
Police charged Gomez with robbery, theft, simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct.
Court records indicated Gomez was arraigned at Luzerne County Central Court on Wednesday morning and was released on $25,000 unsecured bail with a preliminary hearing scheduled for Feb. 4.
1/12/2026
Nanticoke man charged in Hanover Township stabbing
Ed Lewis – Times Leader
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HANOVER TWP. — A man on state parole and free on bail stemming from an alleged physical disturbance in Nanticoke in 2024 is facing charges alleging he struck a man with a hammer and stabbed another person with scissors on Saturday.
Hanover Township police say they responded to a residence in the 500 block of Orchard Street where Eric Nicholas Keefe, 44, allegedly forced his way inside the home and struck a man in the face with a hammer. Keefe then allegedly stabbed another person in the abdomen with scissors, police say.
Keefe sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital.
Police say once discharged, Keefe is facing charges of aggravated assault, burglary, terroristic threats, simple assault, defiant trespass and harassment.
Court records say Keefe is free on $10,000 unsecured bail stemming from a physical disturbance in the area of West Church and Fairchild streets, Nanticoke, on Sept. 21, 2024.
Nanticoke police in court records allege Keefe approached three people who were working on a vehicle and initiated a physical confrontation.
Keefe is facing a trial on a disorderly conduct offense before Luzerne County Judge Michael T. Vough scheduled Jan. 16.