Man charged for
theft from vehicles
HOMETOWN — A Lansford man was arrested by Rush Township police after an incident that occurred about 4:45 a.m. Thursday in the unit block of Ben Titus Road.
Police said officers were called to the area for a report of a person seen entering vehicles and a lookout put out for a black Jeep Cherokee that was later stopped by Tamaqua police while being driven by John Bartenope, 38, of Lansford.
Inside the Jeep, in plain view, police said, officers saw items stolen from various vehicles along Ben Titus Road and a subsequent search warrant found numerous other items that would have been in garages or vehicles.
The investigation also determined that Bartenope stole items from a business in Nesquehoning as well, police said.
Bartenope was arraigned on numerous charges by Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $25,000 straight cash bail.
Police said they are still trying to find out where power tools and other items found inside the SUV were stolen from.
Man faces charges
for Wal-Mart theft
HOMETOWN — A 23-year-old Pottsville man is facing charges by Rush Township police after an incident that occurred about 9:15 p.m. Feb. 3 at Wal-Mart.
Police said Joseph Platts was charged with stealing items valued at $149.67 and will now have to appear before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua.
Police investigate
vehicle break-in
SAINT CLAIR — Saint Clair police are investigating a theft from a vehicle in the parking lot of Lowe’s Home Improvement Center in East Norwegian Township that was discovered about 6 p.m. Sunday.
Police said someone broke into a vehicle owned by Gary Salada, 126 Westwood St., Minersville, and stole about $5 worth of sterling silver that was in a red bag, along with a chrome frame with a wooden grip Freedom Arms Derringer-style .22-caliber handgun.
Anyone with information is asked to call Saint Clair police at 570-429-2240.
City man charged
after stealing coat
SAINT CLAIR — A 20-year-old Pottsville man was arrested by Saint Clair police after an incident that occurred about 9:30 p.m. Jan. 10 at Wal-Mart.
Police said Nicholas J. Hammer, 1639 W. Market St., was charged with retail theft and possession of drug paraphernalia and will now have to answer before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.
Police said officers were called to the area of North Mill Street and took Hammer into custody after being told he was wearing a stolen coat from the store.
Video at the store showed Hammer taking the coat, valued at $21, and fleeing, police said, adding that a search of that coat uncovered needles in a pocket. When asked, police said, Hammer admitted having an addiction problem.
Woman charged
in 2-vehicle crash
PORT CARBON — Port Carbonpolice investigated a crash that occurred about 4:10 p.m. Wednesday at East Washington and Wood streets.
Police said John W. Kitchenman, 52, of New Philadelphia, reported he was driving a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am east on East Washington Street, Route 209, and signaled to make a left turn into the Little Sunshine Day Care Center on Wood Street.
Kitchenman reported his vehicle was hit from behind by a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder being driven by Kimberly S. Diver, 49, of Middleport.
Police said Diver reported not seeing the turn signal or knowing the man was stopped because his brake lights were covered with snow.
Police said that all evidence shows that Diver was driving too closely to the Kitchenman vehicle and if she were driving at a safe speed she would have been able to stop and avoid striking the vehicle.
Police report
vehicle fire
SAINT CLAIR — Saint Clair police reported they responded to a vehicle fire on Wade Road about 4:20 p.m. Feb. 6.
Police said at the scene they found a Ford Explorer owned by Russell Skirncosky of Saint Clair on fire.
Saint Clair firefighters extinguished the fire and no injuries were reported, police said.