Vehicle strikes tree along SR 414
Scott M. Leddy, 33, of Bellefonte, Pa., was uninjured in a recent motor vehicle accident on state Route 414 in Bradford County, police said.
The accident occurred when Leddy lost control of his vehicle on the wet roadway while negotiating a left curve, police said.
The vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree, state police at Towanda said.
The accident occurred at 12:20 p.m. on March 20, 492 feet west of McNeal Mountain Road, police said.
Harassment incident occurs in Wysox Township
State police said they are seeking information about an incident that occurred at 12:45 a.m. Sunday at a Dandy Mini Mart on U.S. Route 6 in Wysox Township.
An unidentified male got into an argument with a 50-year-old man and then tried to punch him, but missed, police said.
The unidentified male then fled the scene in a white pickup truck, police said.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the state police at Towanda at (570) 265-2186.
Towanda man accused of attempting to shoplift
Ryan Michael Carr, 22, of Towanda was charged with retail theft following a shoplifting incident on Sunday at the Family Dollar store in North Towanda Township, police said.
Carr concealed $17.72 worth of items in the store and then tried to leave without paying for them, state police at Towanda said.
No injuries in crash
State police at Towanda said a 17-year-old Canton female will be cited for careless driving as a result of a crash that occurred at 7:32 p.m. March 23 on Route 14 in Troy Township.
Police said she wasn't injured.
According to police, she was traveling south in a Ford Focus, and lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a left curve. It then crossed the west shoulder and traveled approximately 45 feet, where it struck a house. Then, it spun in a clockwise direction and traveled in a south/east direction for about 20 feet, where it came to final rest on the west shoulder, facing east.
Woman charged in crash
Libby Mae Jones, 31, of Troy, faces a preliminary hearing/fast track waiver April 24 before Magisterial District Judge Timothy Clark of Towanda on DUI and other charges for a one-vehicle crash that took place at approximately 6:41 p.m. March 1 on Route 6 in Troy Township, according to court papers filed with the office of Magisterial District Judge Jonathan Wilcox of Troy.
The papers note that Jones is also charged with a violation of "required financial responsibility," a violation of "driving on roadways laned for traffic," a violation of "driving vehicle at safe speed," and careless driving.
According to an affidavit, Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Caroline Rayeski received a call for a one-vehicle crash and saw a white Lincoln Aviator SUV at final rest, with its driver's side against a tree. Contact was then made with the driver, who was identified by her Pennsylvania driver's license as Libby Mae Jones. Jones told police she had approximately two beers and had also taken her prescription medication.
Police said Jones' blood-alcohol content was .287 percent and she had Lorazepam, Sertaline, and Desmethylsertraline in her system.
Wilcox said Jones was sent a summons by mail.
Man charged with possession
State police at Towanda said charges were filed through Magisterial District Judge Jonathan Wilcox's office in Troy after Darrell Lee Struble, 32, of Troy was found to be in possession of a controlled substance at 9 p.m. March 22 on Route 14 in Troy Township, and indicated he planned on selling it.
According to police, he was also charged with "furnishing drug-free urine," when he was found to be in possession of a false bladder during a routine drug screening by the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole.
Mailboxes damaged
State police at Towanda said Ronald Scott Castle, no age given, of Troy, said that an unknown person damaged his mailbox between 4 p.m. March 28 and 10 a.m. March 29 on Leona Road in East Troy, Troy Township.
In addition, Carol A. Jenkins, 67, of Springfield Township, told police an unknown person used a blue blunt object to damage her mailbox sometime between 6 p.m. March 24 and 1:15 p.m. March 25 on Leona Road in Springfield Township. The person fled in an unknown direction, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at Towanda at (570) 265-2186.
Man charged
A Gillett man accused of failing to provide the authorities with necessary information under the sexual offender act is scheduled to appear today before Magisterial District Judge Tim Clark.
According to information filed in Clark's office, Michael Lee Hetherington, 62, has also been charged by state police with obstructing administration of law or other government function. Hetherington, whom the affidavit indicated is a convicted sexual offender, is accused of purchasing a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier in March but failing to register the action with the authorities within three business days as required by law.
Hetherington was arraigned before Judge Clark, who ordered the defendant released on non-monetary bail.
Man charged with possession
A Rome man accused of possession of drug paraphernalia has been sent a summons to appear before Magisterial District Judge Tim Clark on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to information filed at Clark's office, Derek Andrew Hovan, 19, was charged by Towanda police with the above offense following a traffic stop at the Dandy Mini Mart in Wysox on March 4. Police reported seizing a glass smoking device of the type commonly used to smoke marijuana that was inside the vehicle. Hovan is scheduled to appear before Judge Clark on May 1.
Man cited for possession of drug paraphernalia
A Towanda man was recently charged by the Bradford County Sheriff's Department with possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to information filed with Magisterial District Judge Tim Clark, Travis John Kinner, 25, was cited for the above offense on March 25. On that date, according to the report, sheriff's deputies arrived at a private residence to search for Kinner who was wanted on an unnamed charge. Kinner was located at the residence, the report continued, and after being taken into custody, deputies found a black leather pouch containing a glass pipe with burnt residue, a hypodermic needle, a silver spoon with burnt residue and a purple straw. Kinner identified the items as his property, according to the report, and he was later arraigned before Judge Clark, who ordered the defendant incarcerated in lieu of $1,000 bail. Kinner's preliminary hearing has been scheduled for April 8.
Man accused of manufacturing methamphetamine
A Wyalusing man was arrested by state police recently on a charge of manufacturing methamphetamine.
According to information filed with Magisterial District Judge Tim Clark, Donald Joseph Ramey, 47, has also been charged with possession of substances necessary for the manufacture of methamphetamine; possession of drug paraphernalia; improper display of a license plate; and operating a motor vehicle without a proper certificate of inspection.
Ramey was charged following a traffic stop on March 12 in Ulster Township on U.S. Route 220 near the Dandy Mini Mart. During the stop, police asked Ramey, the driver of the vehicle, if they could search it, to which he consented. Police said they found four hypodermic needles, a box of nasal decongestant, two packs of batteries, a full can of Coleman Camp Fuel, and other items related to the manufacture of methamphetamine. In addition, the report continued, police found a red plastic container holding what was believed to be either methamphetamine, bath salts, or a combination of both.
Ramey was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Jonathan Wilcox, who ordered the defendant incarcerated in lieu of $100,000 bail.
Man faces theft charge
A Towanda man was arrested by borough police recently on a charge of theft by unlawful taking.
According to papers filed with Magisterial District Judge Tim Clark, Derick Chad Fabyan, 27, has also been charged with terroristic threats.
Police said they investigated a report they received on March 9 about Fabyan, concerning his possession of a large amount of women's clothing. The report indicated Fabyan has a history of stealing such items in town, and police spoke with Fabyan at his residence around 11:25 p.m. about the matter. Fabyan initially told the police he had received the clothing from a blonde woman at the Dandy Mini Mart in Towanda, the report continued, but when police asked to see the items he became belligerent and refused to cooperate further. Police warned Fabyan that he was obstructing their investigation, but he continued to defy their instructions to let them see the clothing. Fabyan was eventually taken into custody, and a search of his room revealed a large amount of women's clothing, children's clothing, small children's clothing, and women's underwear.
While being transported to the Towanda police station, the report continued, Fabyan began screaming at the arresting officer, making threats. After being placed in a holding cell, Fabyan confessed to taking the clothing from the Rainbows End store in Towanda, and that he had done so several times in the past.
Fabyan was arraigned before Judge Clark, who ordered the defendant incarcerated in lieu of $25,000 bail.
Man charged with possession
A Towanda man was cited by the Bradford County Sheriff's Department recently on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.
According to information filed with Magisterial District Judge Tim Clark, Jesse Michael Gallagher, 35, was charged with the above offense on March 11 after being taken into custody on an unrelated matter. Deputies reported going to a private residence in Towanda looking for Gallagher, who was wanted on an arrest warrant. They found Gallagher at the residence, deputies said, and when they took him into custody they found a small plastic baggie on his person containing a substance suspected of being bath salts.
Gallagher was arraigned before Judge Clark, who ordered the defendant incarcerated in lieu of $1,000 bail.
Man accused of scattering rubbish
A Towanda man was cited by state police recently on a charge of scattering rubbish.
According to state police Michael Todd Benjamin, 29, was cited for the above offense in January following an incident that occurred on Saco Road in Ulster Township. Police reported receiving a complaint of rubbish being scattered on a gas pad owned by Chesapeake Energy. When they arrived at the scene, police continued, they found 12 bags of garbage on the pad. Further investigation revealed mail inside one of the bags addressed to Benjamin, the report continued.
Police said they later spoke to Benjamin at his residence about what they had found, and he confirmed that he had dumped the garbage bags on the gas pad.
Benjamin has been sent a summons to appear before Magisterial District Judge Tim Clark on April 22.
Three accused of illegal entry
Three people accused of entering a cabin and removing several items are facing several charges related to the incident.
According to information filed with Magisterial District Judge Tim Clark, Joshua Lee VanBuren, 23, of Canton, Jon-Erik Lee Crawford, 23, of Canton, and Christopher Daniel John Evans, 23, of Canton, have each been charged with overnight accommodations, no person present; criminal trespass; theft by unlawful taking; and receiving stolen property.
The three have been accused of entering a cabin on March 20 located on Millstone Road in Overton Township owned by Charles Edward Strickland. The three gained entry via an unlocked door, according to the report, then drank alcohol, coffee and water belonging to Strickland, and built a fire in the wood stove to stay warm. After getting warm, VanBuren, Evans and Crawford cleaned the cabin in an attempt to make it appear they had not been on the premises, then took several items before leaving the scene.
Strickland arrived at the cabin a short time later and noticed several footprints leaving the scene. Strickland drove in the direction the footprints were heading, and eventually discovered VanBuren, Crawford and Evans walking about one mile away. Strickland gave the three a ride to the Powell Township building, then notified the state police.
Police reported that when they contacted VanBuren, Evans, and Crawford, they were wearing clothing belonging to Strickland, and were in possession of certain other items taken from the cabin. The three men were taken into custody and signed confessions, state police said.
Woman charged with illegal possession
A New York woman was arrested by the Bradford County Sheriff's Department recently, on a charge of illegal possession of a controlled substance.
According to information filed with Magisterial District Judge Tim Clark, Emily Elizabeth Kinsella, 23, of Unadilla, was cited for the above offense on March 16. Sheriff's deputies reported taking Kinsella into custody at the Bradford County Courthouse, after her bail was revoked during a hearing on an unrelated incident. During a standard pat-down search, according to the report, deputies found Kinsella to be in possession of hydrocodone, a schedule two controlled substance. Kinsella informed the deputies that she did not possess a prescription for the hydrocodone.
Man cited for possession of drug paraphernalia
A Wysox man was recently cited by the Bradford County Sheriff's Department, on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to information filed with Magisterial District Judge Fred Wheaton, Shane Ian Furman, 26, was charged with the above offense after being taken into custody on Feb. 20 at Jackson's Trailer Court for an unrelated incident. During a routine search, according to the report, police found a metal pipe of the type typically used to smoke marijuana.
Man charged with receiving stolen property
A man accused of taking a vehicle without authorization was recently arrested by the state police on a charge of receiving stolen property.
According to information filed with Magisterial District Judge Fred Wheaton, Stacy Wayne Mann, 34, whose address is listed as S.C.I Waymart, Pa., was charged with the above offense following an incident in August 2013 on U.S. Route 187 in Asylum Township. A red car was struck on Route 187 by another vehicle which was attempting to turn onto the highway from French Town Road. The red car then fled the scene, traveling up Liberty Corners Road. Police said they later recovered the car on Beirne Hill Road in Monroe Township, and determined it had been reported stolen from the York Regional Police Department. Testing Services Inc. is listed as the owner of the vehicle.
On March 6, 2015, the report continued, police interviewed a witness to the incident, who reported being picked up by Mann in York in a red Mazda car on the day the accident occurred, then traveling to Wysox. The witness explained that they were on Route 187, when the Mazda was struck by another vehicle. The witness told the police that Mann told him after the crash that "he isn't going to jail today," and fled the scene. The witness also informed the police that Mann drove the car up a back road before they abandoned it. Mann had initially told him he was borrowing the car from a friend, the witness explained, but then later confessed that he found the keys in the vehicle and stole it.
Mann's preliminary hearing has been scheduled for April 28 before Judge Wheaton.
Man accused of criminal trespass
A man was cited by state police recently on a charge of criminal trespass.
According to information filed with Magisterial District Judge Fred Wheaton, Jeffrey Allen Martin, 43, whose address is listed as the Bradford County Correctional Facility, was charged following an incident that occurred on Jan. 31 at the Comfort Inn in Wysox.
On that date, the reported continued, police were called to the Comfort Inn to investigate a complaint of an individual entering a room without permission. When they arrived, police said, they spoke with the person who made the report, who said he had discovered Martin in his room, without his permission. In addition, the person said, he discovered Martin had removed his belongings from various drawers.
Police said they determined that Martin was a registered guest at the Comfort Inn on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, in room 109, which was the adjoining room to the one he is accused of entering illegally.
Martin's preliminary hearing has been scheduled for April 14 before Judge Wheaton.
Man charged with possession of drug paraphernalia
A Rome man has been sent a summons to appear before Magisterial District Judge Fred Wheaton, to answer a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to information filed in Wheaton's office, Roger Lynn Evans, 18, was cited by state police for the above offense, following an incident on Feb. 19 at Northeast Bradford High School. Police were called to the school where administrative personnel indicated that they had seized a pipe from Evans, who admitted he had been smoking marijuana in the bathroom. Police said they field tested the burned residue found in the pipe, which tested positive as marijuana.
Evans has been sent a summons to appear before Judge Wheaton on April 14.
Rubbish scattered
State police are investigating an incident of scattering rubbish that occurred recently on Battle Creek Road in Rome Township.
According to police, unknown persons threw several bags of garbage over an embankment between Feb. 17 and March 10. Anyone with information about the incident is requested to contact the state police at (570) 265-2186.
No injuries
No injuries were reported when a two-vehicle crash occurred recently in Herrick Township.
According to police, the crash occurred around 9:40 a.m. on March 19 on Herrickville Road. A 2004 Sterling operated by Dell Eastabrook, 57, of Wyalusing, was traveling south on Herrickville Road, while a 2013 Kenworth operated by Kirk E. Knight, 54, of Clarks Summit, was heading north. While in the process of passing each other, the report continued, the plow of the Sterling struck the back fender of the Kenworth.
Police said that Eastabrook would be cited for crossing the center line of traffic.
Burglary investigated
State police are investigating a burglary that occurred recently at a construction site in Wyalusing Township.
According to police, perpetrators drilled holes through rivets that held the back door of a work trailer owned by Buynak Construction of Towanda, located on Canyon Road in Wyalusing Township. After gaining entry to the trailer, the thieves stole two rolls of electrical wire. The incident occurred between 5 p.m. on March 13 and 10 a.m. on March 16. Anyone with information about the incident is requested to contact the state police at (570) 265-2186.
DUIs
The following people were charged recently with driving while under the influence in Bradford County:
Michelle Lee Bates, 39, of Laceyville, has also been charged by state police with crossing the center line of traffic; careless driving; and failure to wear her seatbelt. Bates was charged following a vehicle crash on Feb. 19 on LeRaysville Road in Pike Township. After being taken into custody, Bates was transported to Robert Packer Hospital for treatment of her injuries. While there, Bates agreed to submit to a blood test, which eventually revealed that Bates' blood alcohol content was .097 percent on the day of her arrest.
Benjamin Wayne Johnson, 35, of Eufaula, Okla., has also been charged by state police with careless driving. Johnson was charged following an investigation, in which a driver (Johnson) was reported to be operating his vehicle erratically. Johnson was taken into custody and transported to Memorial Hospital, where he agreed to submit to a blood test. The test eventually revealed that Johnson was under the influence of a psychoactive stimulant on the day of his arrest. Johnson has been sent a summons to appear before Magisterial District Judge Fred Wheaton on April 7.
Patricia Ann Stroud, 51, of Towanda, has also been charged by state police with crossing the center line of traffic, careless driving, and failure to use her headlights at night. Stroud was charged on Feb. 21 following a traffic stop on U.S. Route 187 in Asylum Township. After being taken into custody, Stroud was transported to Memorial Hospital in Towanda where she agreed to submit to a blood test. The test eventually revealed that Stroud's blood alcohol content was .148 percent on the day of her arrest.
Robert Joseph Douglas, 40, of Laceyville, has also been charged by the state police with operating a vehicle while his license was suspended or revoked, careless driving, and restrictions on alcoholic beverages. Douglas was charged following a hit-and-run accident that occurred on March 1 in Towanda Township. Information the state police obtained from the scene allowed them to locate a black Dodge Neon on Lime Hill Road in Wyalusing Township operated by Douglas. After being taken into custody, Douglas was transported to Memorial Hospital where he agreed to submit to a blood test. The test eventually revealed that Douglas' blood alcohol content was .084 percent on the day of his arrest.
Michael Thomas Donnelly, 40, of New Albany, has also been charged by Towanda police with careless driving, driving the wrong way on a one-way street, restrictions on alcoholic beverages, and disorderly conduct. Donnelly was charged on March 21, following a traffic stop on Washington Street in Towanda Borough. Donnelly was taken into custody and transported to Memorial Hospital in Towanda, where he refused to submit to a blood test. Donnelly has been sent a summons to appear before Magisterial District Judge Tim Clark on May 8.
Kenneth Duane Rider, 56, of Monroeton, has also been charged by state police with improperly parking his vehicle, and careless driving. Rider was charged following a traffic stop on March 21 on Hinman Street in Towanda. After being taken into custody, Rider was transported to Memorial Hospital in Towanda, where he refused to submit to a blood test. Rider is scheduled to appear before Magisterial District Judge Tim Clark on May 8.
Elizabeth Rae Benjamin, 28, of Wysox, by the state police, on March 14, on U.S. Route 6 in Wysox Township.