Crime & Courts

January 26, 2009

Police Blotter

WILKES-BARRE – City police, in conjunction with agents of the state Attorney General’s Drug Task Force, executed a search warrant Saturday on a Susquehanna Street residence that resulted in the apprehension of three people who were charged with drug-related offenses.

According to city police, on Saturday afternoon, authorities executed a search warrant at 30 Susquehanna St., on neighborhood complaints that led to an investigation conducted over several months.

Police said they purchased heroin from the address from an individual known as “Nasty,” later identified as Claudie Robinson, 29, of Easton. Police said they seized a large amount of heroin packaged for re-sale, marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, a loaded handgun and approximately $3,000 in cash.

Police said they charged the following individuals:

Robinson, who had been residing at the Susquehanna Street address, was charged with possession with intent to deliver heroin, persons not to possess firearms, conspiracy to deliver heroin and possession of heroin, marijuana and ecstasy.

James Johnson, 21, of Easton, was charged with possession of cocaine. Tammi Kizer, 35, of Susquehanna Street, was charged with conspiracy to deliver heroin, and possession of heroin, marijuana and ecstasy.

PLAINS TWP. – A woman was still in a hospital on Saturday for severe injuries she suffered in a crash on North River Street early Friday morning.

The driver, Lauren Kostelansky, 22, of Pittston, crashed her 2007 Ford Mustang into the side of a house at 108 N. River St. around 2:15 a.m., according to Plains Township police officer Tim Minnick.

Kostelansky was taken to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township, and then flown to Danville, Minnick said.

“We don’t know if she slid on ice or lost control,” Minnick said.

No one was injured in the home, which sustained substantial damage, Minnick said. The car was totaled, he said.

The crash remains under investigation, police said.

WILKES-BARRE – City police reported the following:

Police said CYC employee Bob Kulick, 70, reported five males in their teens walked up to his front desk inside of 36 S. Washington St. on Saturday night and one took an envelope with money while Kulick was distracted.

Two of the males approached Kulick to engage him in a conversation to distract him, according to police. At this time, police said one of the males, described as wearing a black coat with a fur collar, reached over the desk and took the envelope.

The males fled the building and were last seen running south on North Pennsylvania Avenue, police said.

An man drove up to purchase a carton of cigarettes with a credit card in his hand at Smokers Choice, 180 Spring St., on Saturday night, police said, then took the carton, pulled back the card and drove away without paying, police said.

• Robert Thieman, of Nanticoke, reported to police Sunday afternoon that someone stole tires, smashed windows and stole CDs from a vehicle he was storing on Kidder Street.

• Police said Charles Charnetski, 72, of Sylvanus Street, was observed by several witnesses entering parked cars on Sylvanus Street on Sunday afternoon. Police said they found Charnetski under the influence of alcohol, and placed him under arrest for alleged public drunkenness and theft from a motor vehicle.

• Lamar Dawson, of Lynch Lane, reported to police Sunday morning that Samantha Walter, of Gilligan Street, made harassing phone calls to him. Police said Walter will be cited with harassment.

• Michael Ingram, of Horton Street, reported to police Saturday afternoon that someone removed a checkbook from his vehicle while it was parked on Carey Avenue.

• Kristen Justice reported to police Saturday night that someone sent her multiple threatening text messages.

TUNKHANNOCK TWP. – State police at Tunkhannock have identified and apprehended two men, both from the Tunkhannock area, who provided written confessions relating to 20 thefts from unlocked vehicles in Mehoopany, Forkston and Tunkhannock townships.

Police said items removed included CDs, coins and GPS systems, and the several items were recovered.

Anyone with additional information or who was a victim of similar crimes in the above townships are asked to contact state police at 836-2141.

PLYMOUTH TWP. – State police at Wyoming reported a Hanover Township resident was injured after a one-vehicle crash on Route 11 near Ferry Street on Saturday.

Police said John Macking was northbound on Route 11 in a 1997 Chevy Lumina late Saturday night, when the vehicle went off the road and struck a mound of snow. Police said the impact caused the vehicle to flip over.

Police said Macking received a leg and back injury.

Police were assisted by Tilbury Fire and Ambulance.

NESCOPECK – State police at Shickshinny said an elderly Scranton woman was injured in a one-vehicle crash on Route 93 Saturday evening.

Police said Doris Dobrydney, 82, of Scranton, was northbound when her 2006 Cadillac failed to make a left curve in the roadway, went up a small embankment and struck a tree.

Police said Dobrydney was transported to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, for a head injury.

PLAINS TWP. – State police reported a Lehighton woman inadvertently left a $200 voucher in a Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs slot machine Saturday morning, when another woman took the voucher.

Police said Rosemary Honn walked away from the machine when another female noticed the voucher and took it. Police said a male acquaintance of the woman cashed the voucher and the duo left the casino with the money.

BUTLER TWP. – Township police reported the following incidents:

• Police are investigating an incident of reported harassment by communication of a 22-year-old female from East County Road. Police said the female received anonymous phone calls, sexual in nature, which targeted her by name, Tuesday morning

• Police said a resident of Highacres Commons Building, Faith Drive, reported the rearview mirror of his 2000 Volkswagen was intentionally damage between Jan. 15 and 16.

• Police are investigating a crash that happened just before 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Police said a vehicle driven by Waldenmrr Algarin, 31, of Brooklyn, N.Y., was westbound on West Butler Drive when it went out of control on a cure, spun around and hit a utility pole. Police said Algarin and his 16-year-old passenger were not injured.

• Police said someone opened the front door of a residence on Freedom Road, and went inside while a vehicle was parked nearby.

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