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Police: Crime spree began with truck theft Police Blotter

FAIRMOUNT TWP. – A Benton man was arrested Wednesday in connection with an early morning crime spree that began at Spencer’s Tavern and ended at a nearby home.

Christopher D. Cragle, 33, 477 Red Hill Road, was charged with three counts each of burglary and criminal mischief, and one count each of theft by unlawful taking, terroristic threats and recklessly endangering another person, according to state police at Shickshinny.

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

Police allege Cragle stole a dump truck from the parking lot of Spencer’s Tavern and took it for a joy ride until the vehicle crashed into a snow bank.

When the truck became disabled, police said, Cragle went back to the tavern and kicked a hole in the wall and threatened a bartender, and then tried to force his way inside the township fire hall, the criminal complaint states.

A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 5 at Central Court.

WILKES-BARRE – City police reported the following:

Willie Harmon III, 35, of Oxford Street, Hanover Township, was arrested Tuesday for disorderly conduct after he allegedly told officers he had a gun and would shoot police at 395 S. Main St.

Harmon allegedly displayed violent behavior toward officers while he was stopped by police and asked for identification, police said.

Kelly Marie Orr, 25, of Fulton Street, is accused of providing false information to police during a traffic stop on Sullivan and River streets on Tuesday.

Police said Orr told officers her name was Amber Orr. A record check revealed she provided a false name, according to police. Orr than gave her real name and her driver’s license came back as suspended, police said.

Charges will be filed against Orr for false identification to law enforcement, police said.

A 43-year-old man allegedly made threats to his 25-year-old ex-girlfriend at 324 Parkview Circle on Monday night. The incident is under investigation and charges have not been filed, police said.

A woman reported on Thursday afternoon that someone cut a screen window at her home on Kado Street. A damage estimate was not available.

A woman walked into Salon Plus, 33 S. Wilkes-Barre Blvd., where she had a haircut, pedicure and wax at a total cost of $57.50, and then walked out without paying on Tuesday.

The woman fled the area in a red pickup truck, police said. A further description of the suspect has not been released.

• Andrew Shean, 46, of East Northampton Street, Wilkes-Barre Township, will be charged with criminal trespass and harassment for allegedly entering a Westminster Street home and harassing a woman on Tuesday.

HAZLE TWP. – A single car key on a key ring was found Tuesday at Community Park, state police at Hazleton said. Anyone claiming ownership will be asked to describe the key ring, police said.

Contact the Hazleton barracks at 459-3890 and reference incident number N01-0953606.

PLAINS TWP. – State police at Wyoming said they arrested Matthew Kapitula, 21, of Dallas, on suspicion of drunken driving after a vehicle crash on an off-ramp from state Route 309 early Wednesday morning.

Police said Kapitula appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, and was transported to Wilkes-Barre General Hospital for a blood alcohol test.

The appropriate charges will be filed pending results of the blood alcohol test, police said.

NESCOPECK TWP. – State police at Shickshinny said they are searching for the driver of a mid-1990s Ford pickup truck that sped away after a crash on state Route 93 on Wednesday.

Police said the driver was traveling west on Route 93 at about 1 p.m. and struck a utility pole that was sheered in half.

Police said the vehicle may possibly be a white Ford F150. Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at Shickshinny at 542-4117.

WILKES-BARRE TWP. – Township police reported the following:

Kevin Barrett, an employee at Logan’s Steakhouse, reported on Monday that people left the restaurant without paying for $65 in food.

Andrew Beach, 19, of Shickshinny, is facing retail theft charges after he allegedly failed to pay for items valued at $192 and items valued at $209 from Target, Wilkes-Barre Township Commons, on Tuesday and Friday, respectively.

Edward Saroscek, 18, of Edwardsville, is facing retail theft charges after he allegedly failed to pay for merchandise at the Walmart Supercenter, Wilkes-Barre Township Marketplace, on Wednesday.

Police said he is also facing charges of criminal trespass, public drunkenness and illegal use of solvents.

Edward Porzuczek reported on Wednesday that an unknown person damaged a lock on his shed behind his Watson Street home.

FAIRMONT TWP. – State police at Shickshinny said Fabiola Priest, 34, of Kingston, who was driving a 1998 Lincoln Navigator, lost control of her vehicle on the slush-covered road and struck a tree while traveling west on Route 118 just before 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Priest, who was not injured, was cited for not driving her vehicle at a safe speed, police said.