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Earlier this year Ryan Robles attempted to escape authorities when he was allegedly caught trading a stolen handgun for heroin. He surely can’t outrun Facebook.
Robles’ mug shot was one of several posted by Wilkes-Barre police on their Facebook page this week seeking the public’s help in locating the scofflaws. Other police agencies, including Wilkes-Barre Township, Freeland and Larksville, have been posting pictures of wanted persons on their Facebook pages for nearly a year.
City police said Robles is wanted for possessing a small amount of marijuana. Court documents filed with District Judge Rick Cronauer on Jan. 12 confirmed the charge, including possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without a license.
The charges were mailed to Robles but he failed to appear for the preliminary hearing that was scheduled on March 10.
Thus, Robles’ mug shot appeared on the police department’s Facebook page on Tuesday.
Police Chief Robert Hughes released the following statement about the Facebook postings of wanted persons:
“The pictures are a way for the public to become involved with the police department by providing information on wanted people in a safe manner. Likewise, people may also turn themselves in after seeing their picture on Facebook. It is difficult to determine an estimate on the number of people that decide to turn themselves in at this point, however posting the pictures does not put any strain on police resources and it is already paying dividends.”
As quickly as the picture of Kevin Jenkins, 25, appeared, police wrote “Located” across his photograph. Jenkins was wanted on charges of receiving stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia and retail theft.
A picture of Rian Lowe, 34, was removed from the city police Facebook page soon after she surrendered upon seeing she was being sought on drug offenses. Lowe was arraigned Tuesday on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Robles was one of several people charged by Hanover Township police when he was spotted in a store’s parking lot on Sans Souci Parkway trading a stolen handgun for heroin on Jan. 26. Robles allegedly ran from police and discarded a .38 caliber handgun on the ground. The handgun was reported stolen from a residence on High Street in Hanover Township, court records say.
Robles was released from jail after posting $25,000 bail on Feb. 2.