TimesLeader.com

April 15, 2009

Cops: Man stole to buy heroin

Dupont man allegedly took cigarettes from stores due to addiction, say authorities.

By Edward Lewis elewis@timesleader.com
Staff Writer

PLAINS TWP. – Authorities allege a Dupont man targeted closed service stations and food marts to steal cigarettes and other items to support a heroin addiction in February and March.

Township police said Edward Joseph Kelleman, 41, of Center Street, broke into PennMart/Perky’s Pizzeria on North River Street three times and he twice forced his way into the Liberty Exxon station on East End Boulevard.

State police at Wyoming further accused Kelleman of smashing a window at the Union Petroleum service station in Plymouth Township and stealing cartons of cigarettes that he exchanged for heroin.

Kelleman was arraigned Tuesday by District Judge Diana Malast in Plains Township on six counts each of burglary, theft and criminal mischief, and four counts of criminal trespass. He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $20,000.

Kelleman is also facing burglary-related charges filed by police in Duryea and Swoyersville in county court.

According to the criminal complaints:

Township police say Kelleman broke into the PennMart/Perky’s Pizzeria on Feb. 20, Feb. 22 and March 12, and the Liberty Exxon on March 15 and March 20. Police say Kelleman smashed windows to enter the closed businesses at night.

State police say Kelleman contacted a friend on March 9 requesting a ride to go buy heroin because he was going through withdrawal. Kelleman was driven to U.S. Route 11 in Plymouth Township and told his friend to wait for him.

Kelleman told authorities he smashed a window at Union Petroleum and stole cartons of cigarettes because “there’s a lot of money selling stolen cigarettes.”

Kelleman was driven to a bar on Scott Street, Wilkes-Barre, where, he claimed, “all the drug dealers and hustlers hang out.” Police say Kelleman admitted to trading the stolen cigarettes for heroin, cocaine and money.

Duryea police charged Kelleman on March 24 with burglarizing a garage on Foote Avenue and stealing tools and machines, and Swoyersville police charged Kelleman with the burglary and theft of cigarettes from the Fuel On service station on March 17, according to court and arrest records.

Kelleman is tentatively scheduled for preliminary hearings on the latest charges on April 22 in Central Court.

Edward Lewis, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7196.