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Police Blotter

PLYMOUTH – A Philadelphia man was arrested Tuesday on charges he was selling crack cocaine for several months at a home.

Joel Ermilus, 22, of 6533 Linmore Ave., was arraigned Wednesday morning on charges of possession with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession with intent to deliver drug paraphernalia.

He was jailed at Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $20,000 bail.

Ermilus is accused of purchasing crack cocaine from the Philadelphia area and then selling the drug at 311 W. Shawnee Ave., arrest papers state. Police on Tuesday executed a search warrant at the home, which is located near Wyoming Valley West High School and two school bus stops.

Authorities seized individually wrapped plastic bags of crack cocaine from Ermilus’ lap and more than $960 cash.

ROSS TWP. – An unidentified man called a Hunlock Creek man on the 400 block of Sweet Valley Road on Sunday night and told him he won $5.5 million and needed to send $250.

The suspect told the victim he should go to Money Gram at Wal-Mart and wire him the $250, according to state police at Shickshinny. The victim did.

Police said the victim called the suspect back and was told someone would come to his home and give him a check for $5.5 million. The victim never received the check, according to police. The victim then called the suspect back and was told to wire $500. The victim did.

The victim then received a call from the suspect telling him in order to receive the check he would have to wire another $1,000 on Tuesday.

Police said they are investigating.

WILKES-BARRE – City police reported the following:

Debbie Schonfeld, of 42 Beech St., reported on Tuesday that someone attempted to pry pins out of the hinges to a rear door at 236 S. River St. between 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Tuesday, according to police. Entry was not made, police said.

A man reported someone entered his vehicle and removed property while it had been parked on New Hancock Street Tuesday afternoon.

Ariel Varsanyi was cited for harassment for allegedly striking Nichole Allen in the face and arm at 125 Brown St. late Monday night, according to police. The victim refused medical treatment, police said.

DUPONT – Luzerne County Sheriff Michael A. Savokinas announced the following arrests at Petro Truck Plaza on Tuesday night:

Amy Callahan, 32, of Avoca, was arrested on outstanding charges of prostitution, loitering and/or prowling, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to appear for a court hearing. Callahan was also arrested on new charges of possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled or counterfeit substance and default in required appearances.

Joshua Bobeck, 29, of Edwardsville, was arrested on an outstanding probation warrant for original charges of driving under the influence. He was also arrested on new charges of providing false identification.

Michael Dezinski, 41, of Plains, was arrested on charges of defiant trespass, possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

The three individuals were taken to Luzerne County Correctional Facility to await hearings, police said. Callahan and Dezinski are being held on $10,000 cash bail for their new charges.

LUZERNE COUNTY – The Luzerne County Sobriety Checkpoint Program will sponsor a schedule of sobriety checkpoints in Exeter Township and Hazleton City and roving patrols in Butler and Plain townships beginning this weekend, according to the state Department of Transportation.

Police will be out to enhance public safety and advise motorists about the dangers of driving under the influence, according to PennDOT.