Crime & Courts

November 3, 2009

Township fire chief could face charge

Times Leader staff

PLAINS TWP. – Township police said they plan to file summary charges against the Wilkes-Barre Township fire chief after a fight outside a restaurant early Saturday morning.

James Hunter told police he was in the parking lot of Eddie’s Diner talking to a group of women when John Paul Yuknavich, 46, punched him. Hunter said he struck Yuknavich in self-defense during the fight that was broken up by Scott Fritz, police said.

Yuknavich, fire chief in Wilkes-Barre Township, told police he was eating when he saw a man trying to pick up his ex-fianc�e’s nieces. Yuknavich said the man first struck him.

Fritz told police, according to a news release, that he walked through the parking lot and saw Yuknavich punching Hunter.

Police said Yuknavich had a strong smell of alcohol on his breath and glossy eyes, and he will be charged with disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

Hunter is expected to be charged with disorderly conduct, police said.

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