Crime & Courts

April 12, 2009

Police Blotter

DUSHORE – A Mehoopany man died Friday evening from injuries in a motorcycle crash in Sullivan County.

State police at Laporte said 52-year-old Jeremy Place was heading south on Route 87 when his motorcycle failed to stay on the roadway while surmounting a downhill curve.

The 1995 Honda cycle traveled off the pavement striking a culvert at Boxer Road, police said.

Place, who was wearing a helmet and eye protection, was later pronounced dead by a county deputy coroner, police said.

WILKES-BARRE – Four people were displaced after flames ripped through a family’s home and later spread to a neighbor’s residence early Saturday morning.

Firefighters responded at about 2:30 a.m. to the first fire at 42 W. Hollenbeck Ave., according to Wilkes-Barre Fire Inspector Alan Klapat. A woman and her son who reside there were able to get out safely, he said.

Fire then extended to a couple’s home at 40 W. Hollenbeck Ave., which sustained moderate damage, Klapat said. The other home sustained extensive fire damage, he said.

No injuries were reported, Klapat said.

Investigators determined the blaze was an accidental electrical fire that originated in the kitchen of the first home, Klapat said.

WILKES-BARRE – City police reported the following:

Officers are investigating a late-night robbery at Peter’s Deli on Friday.

A man entered the corner store at 159 Blackman St. and demanded money from a clerk around 11 p.m., police said. The suspect motioned he had a gun in his pocket.

The clerk gave an unknown amount of cash to the suspect who then fled the store.

A description of the suspect was not provided. No injuries were reported.

Officers are investigating a two-vehicle collision that occurred at an East Main Street intersection around 5 p.m. Friday.

Jean Vukovich was traveling east when the driver of another vehicle struck her vehicle. The other driver, William M. Mitchell, was traveling west when he turned left onto St. Clair Street and struck the front of Vukovich’s vehicle. Police said Vukovich was unable to stop her vehicle in time.

Kerri Evans, 34, of Wilkes-Barre, will be cited for harassment on allegations she punched William Evans, of Plains Township, several times at Rear 96 Spring St. on Friday.

Jose Antonio Lugo reported someone took his vehicle late Wednesday night.

Karen Jendrzejewski reported around 9:23 p.m. Thursday that someone entered 196 Parrish St. and removed an MP3 player, a digital recorder, plasma TV and a purse.

Molly Ann Gosart, of Wilkes-Barre, driver of a 2000 Pontiac, was traveling west on East Main Street, near Chandler Street when she struck an unoccupied parked 2006 Chrysler in front of 44 E. Main St. around 8:25 a.m. Thursday.

Someone damaged a vehicle on North Wilkes-Barre Boulevard on Wednesday.

Chardell Bachman reported around 3:25 p.m. Friday that someone removed an end table and two plant holders from 365 S. Franklin St.

Janna Michael reported someone took her vehicle on Scott Street on Wednesday night.

SUGARLOAF TWP. – Police have filed citations against a truck driver who fled after striking a parked vehicle in the Pilot parking lot.

The driver, James T. Johnson, 58, of Seymour, Ind., was traveling north attempting to turn east onto Old Berwick Road when the truck struck the other vehicle around 9:40 p.m. Thursday, according to state police at Hazleton.

A witness who observed the crash was able to get the truck company name, truck description and trailer number, police said. Police contacted the company and found out Johnson was driving the truck.

Police did not release the name of the truck company in the news release.

Johnson was cited for being in an accidents involving unattended vehicles or property and failure to give information and render aid, police said.

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