Police Blotter

ASHLEY -- An Ashley man was cited Monday by the Pennsylvania Game Commission with allegedly possessing a pet monkey without a permit.

The summary citation was filed against Jeffrey William Arnott Sr., of Preston Street, with District Judge Joseph Halesey in Hanover Township.

Game Commission wildlife conservation officers took custody of the monkey, named Tyler, on March 19 when it was captured by Arnott from a porch on Barnes Street, Ashley.

Arnott's son, Jeffrey Jr., 23, allegedly had the monkey while driving a stolen all-terrain vehicle that was pursued by Ashley police.

Arnott Sr. said he had the monkey for about 15 years. It was sent to an animal sanctuary in Snyder County.

Arnott Jr. was charged with receiving stolen property, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. A preliminary hearing is scheduled today before Halesey.

The citation against Arnott Sr. was mailed Monday. A summary hearing will be scheduled if Arnott Sr. pleads not guilty.

WILKES-BARRE -- City police said they are investigating a robbery at the Turkey Hill at Hazle Avenue and South Wilkes-Barre Boulevard on Monday morning.

A clerk told police he was making coffee with his back to the door when a customer walked in at about 6 a.m. The clerk walked behind the register and noticed the customer had concealed his face with a scarf.

The man demanded money and the clerk placed the cash drawer on the counter. The suspect grabbed the drawer and drove away in a dark-colored Jeep, which was reported stolen from a Coal Street, Wilkes-Barre, residence.

Police said they recovered the Jeep in the area of 113 N. Meade St. The vehicle had the ignition damaged and a large stone on the passenger seat.

The suspect is described by police as a Hispanic male in his late teens to early 20s, 5 feet, 8 inches to 5 feet, 10 inches tall, with medium-length black hair and he wore a denim jacket.

PLAINS TWP. – Township police reported the following:

• Joseph Nowakowski, of Roosevelt Street, Exeter, was to be cited with public drunkenness after police observed him allegedly exhibiting signs of alcohol impairment while walking on North River Street at 2:40 a.m. Thursday before they transported him to his residence.

• Tiffany Thomas, of Sweet Valley, reported that somebody smashed a window on her Chevrolet Cobalt and stole her wallet from inside the car while it was parked at Ole Tyme Charley's on South River Street sometime between 1 a.m. and 2:15 a.m. Saturday.

• Police responded to a harassment complaint at the Woodlands Inn on state Route 115 at 9:05 a.m. Saturday after Nancy Miller, an employee, reported that her husband, Robert Betts, was calling her at work threatening to come there and punch her. Police said Betts arrived at the Woodlands, was arrested and charged with harassment and disorderly conduct.

Betts was arraigned before District Judge Joseph Halesey in Hanover Township and was taken to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 3 before District Judge Diana Malast.