TimesLeader.com

Area man on Pa.’s Most Wanted list

ANDREW M. SEDER aseder@timesleader.com

A Wyoming County man wanted by state police for a 1996 attempted homicide is among the state’s Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list released Thursday. It’s the first time the state police have released such a list in more than a decade.

Robert Stephen Malak, 43, formerly of Northmoreland Township, allegedly stabbed his wife Claudia in the upper left arm with a knife, threw her to the ground and continued to assault her at his residence on state Route 292 on Nov. 24, 1996. He has not been caught, though police say he’s been known to frequent the Mountain Top, Wilkes-Barre and Dallas areas.

The new poster will be distributed to municipal police departments and state police stations throughout the state and will then be distributed to businesses willing to put them on display, according to state police spokesman Jack Lewis.

Lewis said the posters worked in the past. After a poster was distributed in 1997, four of the most wanted were apprehended. A second poster was distributed later that year, but none since. Lewis called it a “money issue” but said the state police Web site has listed dozens of men and women wanted by police.

The latest list includes alleged criminals from cases this year and those accused of crimes as far back as 14 years ago.

Lewis said the list was compiled by the department’s fugitive task force. Most are wanted for their alleged involvement in violent crimes and the majority have been on the run for a decade or longer.

Malak is also listed on the Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers Web site as a wanted fugitive. Trooper Martin Connors, spokesman for Troop R of the state police, said he hopes the poster will spark a renewed interest in the apprehension quest of Malak. Troop R includes Luzerne and Wyoming counties.

PA’s 10 most wanted fugitives

who to call

If you have information about someone, call the state police terrorism/fugitive tip line at 1-888-292-1919

Callers could be eligible for cash rewards up to $1,000 if they call that group at 1-800-4PA-TIPS and the tip leads to Malak’s arrest and successful prosecution.

Police are searching for 7 men accused of murder, one alleged rapist and two wanted on charges of attempted homicide. They are:

John Caro, last known address of Stroudsburg, Monroe County, wanted on charges of attempted homicide in a December 2006 shooting.

Lance W. Crawford, last known address of Philadelphia, wanted on charges in a February homicide.

Juan Manuel Gonzalez, last known address of Reading, Berks County, wanted on charges in an August 1996 homicide.

Robert Radames Herrera, last known address of Reading, wanted on charges in an August 1998 homicide.

Robert Stephen Malak, last known address of Dallas, Luzerne County, wanted on charges in a 1996 attempted homicide.

Israel Mendoza, last known address of Reading, wanted on charges in an August 1998 homicide.

Francis G. Miranda, last known address of Bethlehem, Northampton County, wanted on charges in a 1994 homicide.

Hanh Duc Nguyen, last known address of Philadelphia, wanted on charges in a March homicide.

Stanley Obas, last known address of Brooklyn, N.Y., wanted on charges in a 1996 homicide.

Russell Rehrig Jr., last known addresses of Allentown, Lehigh County, and Pottsville, Schuylkill County, wanted on rape charges.