Police Log, 3/27/2025

NORTHERN SCHUYLKILL – The following is a collection of police incidents reported by local law enforcement agencies in our region.

Vehicle Accident

DARKWATER – A Hazle Township man escaped injury when state troopers say he fell asleep at the wheel and struck the cattle chute in the Route 61 construction zone here.

State Police at Frackville said the crash happened around 10pm Monday at Skyline Drive and Darkwater Road in New Castle Township.

Troopers said Brett Pontry, 32, of Hazle Township, was headed south on Route 61 when he began to fall asleep at the wheel of a 2012 Toyota Rav4.

He struck the concrete barrier separating the northbound and southbound lanes, disabling the SUV. He was evaluated at the scene and refused transport.

He received a warning for the crash, troopers said.

Vehicle Accident

MAHANOY CITY – A Mahanoy City man was cited after state troopers say he cut across two lanes to make a U-turn on Route 54 just outside Mahanoy City and caused a crash.

According to State Police at Frackville, the crash happened on Route 54 at East End Road around 5pm Monday.

Troopers said Austin Creamer, 29, of Mahanoy City, was headed east on Route 54 in a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. He was in the right lane at the time as a 2011 Jeep Liberty, driven by 39-year-old Jeffrey Gurnavage, was in the left lane.

Creamer, troopers said, crossed the left lane in an attempt to make a U-turn, crossing into the path of Gurnavage’s SUV and causing a crash.

Both vehicles had to be towed from the scene and no injuries were reported.

Creamer was cited for the crash.

Vehicle Accident

SHUMANS – A Zion Grove woman was cited for her role in a Beaver Township crash earlier this month, according to State Police.

State Police at Bloomsburg said the crash happened at Route 339 and Mountain Shadow Lane around 3:30pm March 19.

Troopers said Joyce Michael, 67, of Zion Grove, was stopped at the stop sign on Mountain Shadow Road. She was driving a 2021 Kia Sorento.

Skylar Weikel, 18, of Zion Grove, was approaching the intersection in a 2009 Nissan Rogue when Michael entered the highway, causing a collision.

Michael’s vehicle was able to be driven from the scene while Weikel’s vehicle was disabled.

Neither were injured and both were wearing seatbelts.

Michael was cited for the crash, troopers said.

Shots Fired

HAZLETON – Police here are investigating a reported shooting in the city last week.

According to Hazleton Police, around 5:20pm March 20, an officer heard gunshots coming from the area of West 8th Street and Emerald Court, which was confirmed by the Raven Gunshot Detection System moments later, pinpointing the shots to be in the area of the 600 block of North Vine Street.

Five vehicles were struck by gunfire, police said, and no one was hurt.

Anyone with home security cameras along Vine from 15th to Diamond is asked to review their cameras in case they recorded any of the incident.

Burglary/Theft

HAZLETON – Police in Hazleton are seeking a man they say broke into a home, fled, and swiped a vehicle.

This occurred around 11:30am Tuesday at a home in the 480 block of West Mine Street.

Hazleton Police said a man was found in a home and chased out.

The man, identified as Terrence Belt, fled towards the CVS on South Locust Street and stole a 2012 Ford Fusion, police said. Ring camera footage from the home and security camera footage from CVS determined the same suspect committed both offenses.

Belt is wanted on felony burglary, trespass, theft, and receiving stolen property charges.

If you know his whereabouts, police ask that you call 911 immediately or submit a tip through Crimewatch.

Aggravated Assault

HAZLETON – An Allentown man is facing felony charges, accused of spitting and vomiting in a police officer’s face.

Tyress Martinez, 23, of Allentown, was charged Tuesday with felony aggravated assault, assault on a law enforcement officer, misdemeanor disorderly conduct, criminal mischief, and summary harrasment.

According to Hazleton Police, officers were dispatched to the 640 block of Seybert Street just before 6am Tuesday morning for a report of a fight.

Martinez, police said, had been kicked out of a home earlier in the night and had returned.

He fled again before police arrived and was found hiding behind concrete barriers on Perry Court.

Police said he spit and vomited in an officer’s face when officers attempted to take him into custody.

The officer and Martinez were both taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital – Hazleton for evaluation.

Martinez was arraigned and committed to Luzerne County Prison, unable to post $50,000 straight cash bail.

About Author