Police Blotter

WILKES-BARRE – City police reported the following:

• Lashawna T. Harris, 28, of Wilkes-Barre, was cited with harassment for allegedly punching a 23-year-old woman at 23 E. Beatty St. on July 9.

• Thomas Everett, 51, of Wilkes-Barre, was cited with harassment after allegedly punching a 49-year-old woman at 173 Austin Ave. on Monday.

• Shakira Clark, 33, of Summerville, N.J., was cited with harassment after allegedly striking a 21-year-old woman in the area of 289 Barney St. on Sunday.

• Timothy R. McDaniels, 26, of Wilkes-Barre Township, was cited with harassment after allegedly pushing a 23-year-old woman in the 400 block of Carey Avenue on Sunday.

• Police said they were attempting to take a suspect into custody on an outstanding warrant at 54 Marlborough Ave. Wednesday when Jeremiah Deiter, of 54 Marlborough Ave., allegedly attempted to interfere with their arrest.

Police said they told Deiter to back away but he refused. They then took Deiter into custody and he resisted, police said. Police also allege Deiter was intoxicated at the time.

He was taken to police headquarters, held until sober and cited with public drunkenness and disorderly conduct, police said.

• City police said they are investigating an armed robbery at the Turkey Hill on Hazle Avenue early Wednesday morning.

Police said a man armed with a handgun entered the store around 4:10 a.m. and threatened a clerk while demanding money. The suspect was last seen running on Columbus Street. Police said the man covered his face with a hat and a bandanna.

• Karen Noss, of McLean Street, reported Tuesday someone stole jewelry and two video game systems during a burglary at her home.

• Jacqueline Lopez said someone entered her unlocked vehicle and removed her purse while it was parked near 20 Schoolhouse Lane on Wednesday. The purse was later found on a nearby sidewalk missing approximately $200 cash, bank cards and a cellular phone, police said.

• Charlotte Ruck said someone placed carpet nails in her driveway at 109 Sambourne St. sometime after 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

BUCK TWP. – The owner of a gentlemen’s club is facing a theft charge for allegedly failing to pay more than $30,000 in amusement taxes to the township.

A private criminal complaint was filed by the Don Wilkinson Agency, a tax collection business, against Everett Salvesen, owner of the Gold Dust Gentlemen’s Club and Steakhouse on state Route 115.

The complaint was approved by the District Attorney’s Office before it was filed with District Judge David Barilla in Swoyersville on Tuesday.

Salvesen failed to pay $30,625 in amusement taxes to the township since January 2008, according to the criminal complaint. The complaint states five percent of the admission price is designated to the township.

AVOCA – A woman sought in a drug sweep involving 26 people charged for various narcotic offenses was arraigned in Wilkes-Barre Central Court on Wednesday.

Cindy L. Conden, 24, last known address as South Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, was charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, and one count each of possession of a controlled substance and criminal conspiracy. She was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $20,000 bail.

Police said Conden sold heroin from a motel room on state Route 315 on Jan. 7 and Jan. 14, 2009, according to the criminal complaints.

Conden was one of 26 people charged on June 28 for trafficking illegal drugs throughout Luzerne County, mostly in the Avoca area, according to a news release from the state Office of Attorney General.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled on Aug. 4 before District Judge Fred Pierantoni in Pittston.

KINGSTON – A former employee at a nursing home facility was charged with stealing $1,000 from a patient’s bank account.

Brando Johnson, 31, of Short Street, Edwardsville, was charged with two counts of theft. She was arraigned by District Judge Paul Roberts in Kingston on Wednesday and released on $7,500 unsecured bail.

Johnson was employed at Kingston Commons, Wyoming Avenue, from August 2005 to February 2008 as a social services liaison and became friends with a 60-year-old woman who was a patient at the facility.

During their friendship, police allege, Johnson took the patient to a Bank of America branch and opened a joint account with $1,000 belonging to the patient.

Johnson admitted withdrawing money from the patient’s account from December 2007 to February 2008.

KINGSTON – A second man has been charged for his alleged role in stealing copper pipe and wire from a vacant shopping complex in June.

Brian C. Chackan, 40, of East First Street, Larksville, was arraigned Wednesday by District Judge Paul Roberts on charges of burglary, theft, criminal mischief and criminal trespass. He was released on $10,000 unsecured bail.

Police allege Chackan, Donald C. Crone, 42, of North Maple Avenue, Kingston, and Timothy Buchler, 39, last known address as Division Street, Larksville, entered the former Price Chopper building on Third Avenue and removed copper pipe and wiring from June 1 and June 8.

George Albert, property manager, estimated damages at more than $100,000 to the shopping complex. Police allege the copper was sold at Valenti’s Scrapyard in Edwardsville.

Cron is facing charges of criminal trespass and criminal mischief in Luzerne County Court.

Muchler is facing charges of burglary, theft, criminal mischief and criminal trespass for his alleged role. He has not been arraigned on the charges.

WILKES-BARRE -- Three people were arrested after state police at Wyoming allegedly found crack and marijuana at a Barney Street apartment.

Sandra Ann Tomkins, 26, and Lawrence L. Howell, 50, of 59 Barney St., were charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Leon Ronald Crosby, 22, of Brooklyn, N.Y., was charged with three counts each of possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, and two counts of delivery of a controlled substance.

They were arraigned in Wilkes-Barre Central Court on Wednesday and jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $10,000 bail each.

State police at Wyoming purchased crack from Crosby on July 14 and Tuesday in the area of Barney and Lockhart streets. Troopers observed Crosby leaving 59 Barney St.

Troopers searched it and allegedly found four marijuana plants on the porch and crack hidden under a mattress.

Clear 32°

Crime & Courts

Place Quick Ads