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Police Blotter

PLAINS TWP. – Police said they captured a fugitive who was charged with having pills without a prescription during a traffic stop on state Route 315 early Wednesday morning.

Javon Laney, 20, of Brooklyn, N.Y., was charged with possession of a controlled substance, misbranding a controlled substance, false identification to law enforcement and three traffic violations. He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $10,000 bail.

According to the criminal complaint:

Police stopped Laney for speeding on Route 315 at about 3:45 a.m. Police said the vehicle, a Toyota, had an expired Florida registration sticker.

Laney told police, according to the criminal complaint, that the vehicle belonged to a friend, and that he was going to a store for his girlfriend. Police alleged they found a pill bottle with the label removed inside the vehicle.

Police identified tablets in the bottle as Zanax, the criminal complaint says.

Laney initially identified himself with another name, police said.

Police said in the criminal complaint that Laney had a suspended driver’s license and is wanted by Hazleton police and in New Jersey.

A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled on Feb. 19 in Central Court.

DUPONT – A Pittston man was charged Wednesday with failing to pay for a meal at a truck stop and fleeing officers.

Christopher Fegal, 20, of Columbus Avenue, was charged with theft, flight to avoid apprehension and disorderly conduct. He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $2,500 bail.

According to the criminal complaint:

Police Sgt. John Saranchuk was at the Petro Truck Stop and observed a cook running after three men who failed to pay a food bill at about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Police chased after the men and saw Fegal climb down a cliff and run across state Route 315. Hughestown police Officer Darrin Bidwell captured Fegal in a wooded area.

A second man was captured, but his name wasn’t released. The third man wasn’t captured.

A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled on Feb. 19 in Central Court.

WILKES-BARRE – City police reported the following:

Erin Boote reported someone entered a residence at 348 Horton St. and removed cash, a jewelry box and several gift cards on Tuesday afternoon, police said.

Police said 23-year-old Nancy Dyer’s 1997 Oldsmobile – Pennsylvania license GXL 0305 – was reported as stolen from the Sherman Hills complex, 328 Parkview Circle, around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Police said 58-year-old Fred Pettet’s vehicle was damaged by a pellet gun at 494 Stanton St. on Tuesday.