Homes, parked cars struck by gunfire in Hazleton; two arrested
HAZLETON – Two men were arrested for a shots fired incident in the city Friday.
Maiqui Montilla Diaz, 21, and Francisco Montilla, 27, both of Hazleton, are in Luzerne County Prison on firearms charges.
According to Hazleton Police, officers received a notification through the Flock gunshot detection system of multiple gunshots in the area of 17th and Grant around 2:40pm Friday.
As officers were responding, 911 calls were received and a black BMW was seen fleeing the area.
Officers attempted to stop the vehicle and a brief pursuit ensued, ending at 12th Street and Hanover Court.
The driver, identified as Montilla Diaz, and three passengers — Montilla and two others — were removed from the car. A handgun was seen on the driver’s seat in plain view and a search warrant was sought and obtained for the car. A second handgun was found in the car after the warrant was obtained.
In the meantime, officers found spent shell casings in the area of 17th and Hanover Court where two parked cars and two homes had been struck by gunfire.
Montilla Diaz was charged with fleeing and eluding, propulsion of missiles, and possession of a firearm without a license.
Montilla was charged with propulsion of missiles and possession of a firearm without a license.
Both were arraigned and committed to Luzerne County Prison, unable to post $50,000 straight bail.
Preliminary hearings are scheduled for March 20.
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