Police Log, 2/3/2025
NORTHERN SCHUYLKILL – The following is a collection of police incidents reported by local law enforcement agencies in our region.
Vehicle Accident/Hit & Run
BRANDONVILLE – A West Hazleton man was cited, accused of fleeing the scene of a crash in East Union Township.
The crash happened around 3am Jan. 25 on Main Boulevard.
State Police at Frackville said Luis Castillo Hernandez, 52, of West Hazleton, struck a utility pole near Main Boulevard and Phinneyville Road.
He was driving a 2012 Ford Edge.
The vehicle was disabled and the man had fled. Troopers said he will be cited.
Vehicle Accident/Hit & Run
ALTAMONT – A crash in this West Mahanoy Township village led to a car striking a building, State Police said, as another car fled.
The crash happened just before 7am Tuesday in the 600 block of South Garfield Avenue.
According to State Police at Frackville, a 2009 Mercury Mariner, driven by Vincenzo Leech, 25, of New Ringgold, was headed north on South Garfield Avenue and crossed into the oncoming lane.
A 2014 Mazda CX-5, driven by Nicole Heil, was headed south and swerved to avoid a collision.
The Mercury struck the Mazda, sending the Mazda into a building. Troopers said the Mercury fled the scene.
No injuries were reported and troopers said Leech will not be cited.
Vehicle Accident
SHENANDOAH – A Shenandoah Heights man was not injured when state troopers say he lost control in the snow on the Heights Hill in January.
State Police at Frackville released more details on the Jan. 24 crash Monday.
Troopers said Derick Lutz, of Shenandoah Heights, formerly of Sparta, Tennessee, was headed north on the Heights Hill when he lost control of his 2007 Ford Mustang when he drove over wet snow.
The car became stuck on a snowbank and had to be towed from the scene.
He was cited for speeding, troopers said.
Theft
CASS TOWNSHIP – State troopers are seeking whoever swiped auto parts from a property in Cass Township.
Troopers from the Frackville barracks said the theft happened some time between Dec. 15 and Jan. 27 at a property on Valley Road. A specific address was not provided.
The suspected thief swiped $7,000 in various auto parts, troopers said.
Vehicle Accident
SUFFOLK – Two elders from the Ringtown Valley were taken to area hospitals after a crash in Mahanoy Township Thursday.
State Police at Frackville said Edward Hornberger, 81, and Shirley Hornberger, 78, both of Ringtown, were transported after a crash at Centre Street and Suffolk Road just before 11am.
Troopers said the two were in a 2020 Ford Escape, with Edward driving. They began to make a left turn from Suffolk Road onto Centre Street without clearance, crossing into the path of a 2020 Volvo driven by Shawn Stripe, 48, of Tamaqua.
Edward Hornberger was taken to St. Luke’s Coaldale, while Shirley Hornberger was taken to a Bethlehem hospital. Edward was cited as well, troopers said.
Theft
PARK PLACE – State Police at Frackville are investigating the theft of jewelry in Park Place.
Troopers said a gold tennis bracelet with diamonds, worth $400, a gold ring with three diamonds, worth $300, and a gold Mack Truck pin, worth $300, were all swiped from a home on Park Place Road. They were called to the home around midday Friday.
Anyone with information is asked to call State Police at Frackville at 570-874-5300.
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