Police Log, 10/9/2025
NORTHERN SCHUYLKILL – The following is a collection of police incidents reported in the northern Schuylkill area.
Theft
GIRARDVILLE – A man is facing charges after an attempted theft of a catalytic converter here in August.
Gene Klinger, 49, is facing felony theft of a catalytic converter, misdemeanor theft, and criminal mischief charges.
According to the criminal complaint filed Oct. 1, troopers were called to 222 B Street in Girardville around 2pm on August 29 for a report of a catalytic converter theft in progress.
Troopers arrived to find a Ford Escape on a jack with a reciprocating saw nearby.
A woman told troopers she was told by Klinger that it was his cousin’s vehicle.
The woman added that Klinger told her he had tried to cut the catalytic converter off to take it to the junkyard but he was unable to get under the vehicle. He asked her to do it instead and drew two white lines so she knew where to cut it.
She was interrupted by the vehicle’s owners who told troopers they heard a noise nearby and found the woman under the vehicle, cutting the catalytic converter.
Repairs were quoted at nearly $2,500.
Klinger is also charged in the theft of various items from his cousin’s residence, including a Coach purse, Louis Vuitton Nike sneakers, and more. Several of the stolen items were found in Klinger’s possession or were given to his girlfriend as a gift.
Klinger was committed to Schuylkill County Prison on $5,000 and $10,000 respectively and is awaiting a preliminary hearing later this month.
Counterfeiting
HAZLETON – State troopers are investigating after a counterfeit $100 bill was used at a Family Dollar near Hazleton.
State Police at Hazleton said they were called to Family Dollar on North Church Street in Hazle Township around 3:30pm Sept. 29.
Troopers said a counterfeit $100 bill was used at the store.
Anyone with information is asked to call PSP Hazleton at 570-459-3890.
Theft
EBERVALE – State troopers are investigating after two men swiped a 100-foot cable wire from mine lands near Hazleton.
State Police at Hazleton said they were called to Pagnotti Enterprises property off Ebervale Road around 9:30am Oct. 2.
Troopers said two men riding a dark green ATV swiped a 100-foot cable wire, worth $2,800, from the property.
Anyone with information is asked to call PSP Hazleton at 570-459-3890.
Vehicle Crash
OAKDALE – A Freeland woman was flown to a Wilkes-Barre hospital after a crash in Hazle Township.
State Police at Hazleton said the crash happened around 6pm Sept. 29 on Route 940 near the village of Oakdale.
Troopers said Amanda Viruet Brotz, 27, of Freeland, was headed west on Route 940 on a 2007 Yamaha motorcycle when she lost control of the bike, slid, and struck a mailbox and delivery box.
The motorcycle was disabled and the woman was flown via air medical to Geisinger Wyoming Valley.
Troopers said she will be cited.
Vehicle Crash
DELANO – Two men from Hazleton were taken to a Lehigh Valley hospital after a crash on Interstate 81 near Delano.
According to State Police at Frackville, Geomar Medina, 22, of Hazleton, was driving south on Interstate 81 near milepost 140.2 around 4:30pm Monday.
Troopers said he was driving a 2007 Acura TL when he struck an embankment.
Medina and passenger Zavier Rosario Rodriguez, 31, of Hazleton, were taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest near Allentown.
Medina will be cited, troopers said.
Theft/Crash
PATTERSONVILLE – A Pattersonville man is accused of swiping his uncle’s work truck and crashing it.
Brad Moyer, 40, of Strawberry Lane, is in Schuylkill County Prison on felony theft and misdemeanor simple assault and reckless endangerment charges.
According to the criminal complaint filed by Trooper William Moyer of the State Police at Frackville, officers were called to a report of a man burning items in Pattersonville around 10am Tuesday, as well as the theft of a work truck.
Troopers were told Brad Moyer had taken the work truck. Minutes later, Shenandoah Police found the truck wrecked at Ringtown Boulevard and Shenandoah Road in Union Township.
Brad Moyer was seen walking in the road only wearing a t-shirt and underway and was taken into custody.
According to the complaint, he was in the yard of a Pattersonville home burning trash and when the owners of the home, who allow him to live there, confronted him, he allegedly struck them and stole their work truck.
He was arraigned and committed to Schuylkill County Prison on $75,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 15.
Assault
FRACKVILLE – An inmate at SCI Frackville is facing charges, accused of assaulting a member of prison staff.
Tyrone Lusane Jr., 22, is facing felony assault charges.
According to the criminal complaint filed by Trooper Kyle Brands of the State Police at Frackville, Lusane is accused of assaulting a prison staff member on Sept. 3.
The victim said Lusane wanted to switch cells. The request was denied and Lusane charged at the victim, assaulting her with a makeshift weapon.
He is awaiting arraignment.
Theft
ST. JOHN’S – A Hazleton man is facing charges for a summertime burglary in Luzerne County.
Butler Township Police charged William Kaufman, 33, of Vine Street, with burglary, trespassing, and theft charges.
He is accused of breaking into Abby Road Control in the St. John’s section of Butler Township around midnight July 14.
Officers said he and an accomplice swiped cash, uniform vests, and equipment. They also ransacked company trucks on the property, police alleged.
He was arraigned and committed to Luzerne County Prison, unable to post $50,000 bail.
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