Crime & Courts

April 24, 2009

Police Blotter

BUTLER TWP. – Township police reported the following:

A 23-year-old Drums woman was arrested following an investigation into the alleged neglect of a 6-year-old.

Andrea Tomassacci, of North Beisols Road, was arrested following the Feb. 18 investigation, police said. She faces a single count of endangering the welfare of children, a felony, police said.

Police said a caseworker from Luzerne County Children and Youth Services went to the residence during a snow and ice storm to investigate a complaint. Tomassacci’s child was left alone and outside in the storm, police said.

The home was found in an unsanitary condition, police said.

Police are investigating a rape at off-campus housing at Penn State University’s Highacres Commons Building on Faith Drive early Sunday morning.

An 18-year-old woman, who is a resident at the apartment building, reported she was raped by an unknown assailant inside of her apartment, according to police. The victim was treated and released from Hazleton General Hospital.

Police are continuing their investigation.

SUGAR NOTCH – A homeless man was captured by police on Wednesday when he was allegedly found inside a home he had allegedly twice burglarized.

George T. Gushanas, 23, was charged with two counts of burglary, criminal trespass and criminal mischief, and one count each of theft and receiving stolen property. He was arraigned by District Judge Thomas Sharkey in Hazle Township and jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $25,000 bail.

According to the criminal complaint:

Gushanas allegedly stole a computer and a chainsaw from a home on Evergreen Road in March, and sold the chainsaw to a person in Nanticoke for $40.

Police said Gushanas broke into the home on April 10 by prying open the front door, and was found hiding in the basement on Wednesday.

A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled on April 30 in Central Court.

WILKES-BARRE – City police reported the following:

• Austin Foulk, of Wilkes-Barre, is facing charges for allegedly damaging an apartment on West Ross Street with a fire extinguisher early Thursday morning.

• Tyrone Sartin, of Wilkes-Barre, was cited with criminal mischief after Amanda Gregoire claimed he damaged a door at 25 Mayer St. early Thursday morning.

• Arthur Cardastia, of Wilkes-Barre, was charged with violating a protection-from-abuse order after Diana Jo Cucura alleged he called her numerous times early Thursday morning.

• Kathleen Chaffman, 55, of South Empire Street, alleged Charles Chaffman, 35, struck her at 167 S. Empire St. Wednesday night.

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