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WYOMING – State police announced that they will be conducting sobriety checkpoints in Luzerne County this weekend.
PLAINS TWP. – A Pittston man was arraigned Wednesday on charges he burglarized a building owned by Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs on Dec. 25.
Francis A. Lombardo, 39, of Broad Street, was charged with two counts of criminal trespass, and one count each of burglary, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief. He was arraigned in Wilkes-Barre Central Court and jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $3,000 bail.
An arrest warrant was issued for Lombardo on Jan. 8.
According to the criminal complaint:
Plains Township police said Lombardo arrived at the casino in a taxi and failed to pay a fare at about 4:45 a.m. on Dec. 25. Lombardo walked through the parking lot and across state Route 315 when police spotted him.
Lombardo eluded officers running through woods. He allegedly entered a building owned by Mohegan Sun by smashing a glass door, the criminal complaint says.
Police said in the complaint that Lombardo smashed a second door with a stapler, and surrendered after a police canine was about to be released into the building.
At the time of his capture, Lombardo was wanted by Pittston Township police on unrelated charges, police said.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 8 before District Judge Diana Malast in Plains Township.
HAZLETON – A man was arraigned Wednesday on charges he violated a protection from abuse order and was found with cocaine during a traffic stop.
Nicholas Caputo, 29, of South Cedar Street, Hazleton, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, indirect criminal contempt of court, and three traffic violations. He was arraigned in Wilkes-Barre Central Court and jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $7,000 total bail.
According to the criminal complaint:
Police allege Caputo called an ex-girlfriend and threatened to kill her and her boyfriend early Wednesday morning. The woman was writing a statement to police when Caputo called her cell phone, which was answered by an officer, and said, “I’ll kick your ass. Meet me at Blockbuster on Broad Street.”
Police conducted surveillance on Broad Street looking for Caputo.
Caputo called the woman’s cell phone a second time, which was again answered by an officer, and said he was waiting.
Police spotted Caputo driving a vehicle near Laurel and Juniper streets. Caputo allegedly ignored stop signs at several intersections, the criminal complaint says.
Police said in the criminal complaint that two bags of cocaine were found in a cigarette pack recovered from Caputo’s pocket.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 9 before District Judge Joseph Zola.
A hearing on the alleged PFA violation is scheduled for June 10 in Luzerne County Court.
PITTSTON – Kevin Mateyka, 21, of Nanticoke, was arraigned Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on his own recognizance after his arraignment in Wilkes-Barre Central Court.
Police allege Mateyka was carrying marijuana in his wallet when he was stopped by officers in the area of 305 N. Main St. at 1:50 a.m. Wednesday, according to the criminal complaint.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 9 before District Judge Fred Pierantoni in Pittston.
FRANKLIN TWP. – Joan Yale, of Culver Hill Road, reported Sunday someone entered her residence through a basement door and stole jewelry, coins and a pistol, state police at Wyoming said.
HAZLE TWP. – LeAnn Miglas of Hazleton reported Sunday someone stole two credit cards from her vehicle when it was parked at 24th Street and Emerald Court, state police at Hazleton said.
HAZLE TWP. – Members of the Kelayres Outdoor Club reported someone damaged the gate, chain and lock at their club Saturday night or Sunday morning, state police at Hazleton said.
PLYMOUTH TWP. – State police at Wyoming arrested Cecelia Moore, 27, of Nanticoke, on suspicion of drunken driving after she crashed a 2005 Galant into a concrete barrier on state Route 11 on Monday. Moore showed signs of intoxication, state police said.
WILKES-BARRE TWP. – Chasity Hendricks, 33, of Main Street, Ashley, was arraigned Wednesday on a charge she stole an air filter and two chargers, valued at $236, from the Walmart Supercenter.
Township police allege in arrest records Hendricks placed the air filter in her purse and attempted to hide two chargers in her pants. She walked out of the store failing to pay for the merchandise at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, arrest records indicate.
Hendricks was arraigned in Wilkes-Barre Central Court on a retail theft charge. She was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $5,000 bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 9 before District Judge Michael Dotzel in Wilkes-Barre Township.
DUNMORE – State police at Dunmore will be conducting sobriety checkpoints within Lackawanna County this weekend.