Crime & Courts

June 27, 2009

Police Blotter

FORTY FORT – Billy Jo McDermott, 35, of 140 Summit St., of Edwardsville, was arraigned Friday morning on two misdemeanor counts of DUI and numerous summary traffic citations, including careless and reckless driving, court records show. She was released on her own recognizance.

State police at Wyoming alleged that McDermott, driver of a 1996 Dodge Caravan, was seen traveling at a speed of 50 mph in a 35 mph zone on Wyoming Avenue on April 8.

McDermott was observed by police swerving on two separate occasions, police said.

Police said McDermott was arrested for suspicion of DUI and taken to the county’s central processing center for a test of her blood alcohol level, which resulted in .086 percent.

An adult driver in Pennsylvania is considered legally intoxicated with a level of 0.08 percent.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for July 6 in Central Court.

WILKES-BARRE TWP. – Township police reported the following incidents:

A 17-year-old boy from West Hazleton allegedly violated the township’s curfew ordinance after police observed him in the parking lot of the Arena Hub Plaza at 12:47 a.m. Tuesday.

The teen was also issued a summary traffic citation for operating a motor vehicle after 11 p.m. with a junior driver’s license.

David Yancheck reported at 7:01 a.m. Friday that someone had entered his 2008 Ford and stole a GPS unit, a cell phone and a HP wireless printer while it was parked near his Old Ashley Road home.

Richard Frey, 21, of Wilkes-Barre Township, was arrested for allegedly breaking into a home and stealing $1,525 worth of items at 12:30 p.m. Thursday.

According to eyewitnesses, Frey was seen climbing through a window of a Lehigh Street home and then fleeing in a vehicle. Frey was located in Wilkes-Barre, where he was taken into custody.

Frey was arraigned and charged with burglary, criminal trespass and theft. He was remanded to Luzerne County Correctional Facility in lieu of $10,000 bail.

NEWPORT TWP. – A Nanticoke woman faces charges after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from her father during a two-year period..

Kimberly B. Bohinski, 36, of Charles Street, was arraigned Tuesday on counts of theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, receiving stolen property, criminal attempt and forgery. She was released on her own recognizance.

Police alleged in arrest papers that Bohinski stole $141,264 belonging to her father, Stanley Bodek, between March 29, 2007, and April 3.

Bohinski created a false impression by leading Bodek to believe she was paying his bills when she was transferring money to her checking and savings account without his permission, according to the criminal complaint.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for July 7 in Central Court.

FREELAND – A White Haven man was charged by police for allegedly trying to break into an SUV while it was parked in front of a home.

Benjamin D. Leemon, 26, of Tunnel Road, was arraigned Thursday morning on counts of criminal trespass, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, public drunkenness and possessing a small amount of marijuana.

Leemon was jailed at Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $10,000 bail.

Police alleged that Leemon attempted to gain access to a gold Ford SUV parked in front of 605 Washington St. at about 1:51 a.m., arrest papers state. The vehicle was scratched as a result.

Leemon allegedly tried to enter a nearby residence as officers arrived, the criminal complaint states. He was taken into custody and found to be in possession of suspected marijuana and a .380-caliber pistol, police said.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for July 2 in Central Court.

HANOVER TWP. – Township police arrested a man on drug charges during an early-morning traffic stop on West Liberty Street.

Joshua J. Bednar, 19, of West Hartford, Ashley, was arraigned Thursday morning on felony counts of possession with intent to deliver and possession of a controlled substance, and a summary citation for having an expired vehicle registration.

Bednar was jailed at the county correctional facility for lack of $10,000 bail.

Police alleged in arrest papers that Bednar, driver of a Dodge Neon, was driving with an expired vehicle registration sticker near the intersection of West Liberty Street at 1:37 a.m.

An odor of unburnt marijuana emitted from the vehicle, police said. Officers found several bags containing suspected marijuana and in a backpack belonging to Bednar, police said.

Bednar admitted to police that he had been selling the drug for the past two months, the criminal complaint states.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for July 2 in Central Court.

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