Police Log, 4/18/2024

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

Hit-and-Run

GIRARDVILLE – State Police at Frackville are seeking a vehicle that side-swiped a sedan on West Main Street here and took off.

Troopers said it happened some time overnight between last Thursday and Friday.

A 2015 Chevrolet Malibu was struck by another vehicle, of which a description was not provided. The Malibu’s side mirror was knocked off.

Anyone with information should call PSP-Frackville at 570-874-5300.

Assault

SHENANDOAH – A Shenandoah man is in Schuylkill County Prison after State Police at Frackville say he got into a fight with his mother’s boyfriend

Justice Montanez, 21, of West Washington Street, was arraigned on misdemeanor simple assault and terroristic threats charges Saturday.

According to court paperwork, troopers were called around 2:30pm for a reported fight at 147 West Washington Street.

The victim said he had gotten into a physical altercation with his girlfriend’s son, Montanez.

The two were arguing when Montanez, the victim said, punched him in the face and a fight ensued. Montanez then retrieved a kitchen knife and threatened the man.

The victim fled to a nearby business to call police.

He was wounded after the fight.

Montanez, troopers said, provided a similar account of the incident.

He was arraigned and committed to Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post $15,000 cash bail.

Child Endangerment

SHENANDOAH – A Shenandoah man is in Schuylkill County Prison on felony child endangerment charges.

Edward Needham, 21, of North Jardin Street, is facing the felony charge along with misdemeanor simple assault and drug paraphernalia charges, filed by borough police.

According to court paperwork, borough police were called to 205 Pioneer Road around 2:30pm Monday for a reported domestic.

The victim told police that a Children and Youth caseworker had been at the residence to speak with her and Needham about their five-month-old.

After the caseworker left, and argument ensued, and Needham threw the child into a car seat, the victim recalled.

The victim tried to stop Needham from leaving with the child, who was half-dressed and slung over his shoulder perpendicular in the car seat.

Needham, police alleged, also struck the woman in the face with a closed fist, giving him the opportunity to flee.

He was found at Redner’s with the child in possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police said he agreed that holding the child over his shoulder in the car seat is not a safe way to handle or care for an infant.

He was arraigned Monday and committed to Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post $25,000 cash bail.

Child Endangerment

NEW BOSTON – A New Boston man is wanted for felony child endangerment after State Police at Frackville say he shot at three victims — two children — with a water bead blaster gun multiple times.

Keith Kalkiewicz, 38, of New Boston, is wanted after what troopers called a “domestic-related incident.”

Troopers said he shot or shot at a 36-year-old woman and two children, ages 9 and 4, before fleeing around 7:30pm on April 10.

He is wanted on felony child endangerment, misdemeanor reckless endangerment, simple assault, and summary harassment charges.

Assault

EAST UNION TOWNSHIP – A Mount Carmel woman is facing charges after troopers say she grabbed and punched a man, injuring him.

Brandi Belton-Schoenly, 32, of Mount Carmel, was charged with simple assault and harassment for the incident around 6am April 11 on Green Mountain Road.

State Police at Frackville said she engaged in a verbal argument with a 30-year-old Mount Carmel man when she grabbed and punched the man, causing minor injury.

She was arraigned on simple assault and harassment charges and released on unsecured bail.

Vehicle Accident/DUI

RUSH TOWNSHIP – An Ashland man was taken to a Coaldale hospital after a one-car crash Saturday near Hometown.

State Police at Frackville said the crash happened around 11pm on Mahanoy Avenue at Marian Avenue.

Christopher Leitzel, 36, of Ashland, was headed west on Mahanoy Avenue in a 2022 Jeep Compass when he left the road and struck a tree, rolling the SUV.

Troopers said Leitzel smelled of alcohol after the crash.

He suffered minor injuries and was taken to St. Luke’s Miners Campus in Coaldale for treatment and a blood draw. He was wearing his seatbelt.

On Monday, troopers filed DUI charges against Leitzel. A preliminary hearing is set for June.

Vehicle Accident

NORTH MANHEIM TOWNSHIP – A Frackville man was taken to Geisinger St. Luke’s Hospital after a crash near Schuylkill Haven earlier this month.

State Police at Schuylkill Haven said the crash happened around 3pm on Route 61 near Keystoker Lane.

Troopers said Donald Dillman, 79, of Frackville, was headed north on Route 61 in a 2016 Dodge Caravan.

John Murray, 83, of Orwigsburg, turned onto Route 61 from the Sunoco gas station in a 2011 Ford Escape, entering Dillman’s path.

Murray’s SUV rolled while Dillman’s vehicle came to a rest in the R&R Auto Group parking lot.

Both drivers were taken to the hospital by Schuylkill EMS — Murray to Lehigh Valley Hospital – Schuylkill and Dillman to Geisinger St. Luke’s.

Murray will be cited for the crash, troopers said.

Obstruction of Justice

HAZLETON – A Freeland man is facing charges after State Police at Hazleton say he interfered with a traffic stop in this Luzerne County city.

Mario Castro, 56, of Freeland, is charged with obstructing administration of law or other governmental function, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.

Troopers said they had a vehicle stopped on West Broad Street around 5:45pm Friday when Castro, who was not involved in the stop, walked over and began to interfere.

He was asked to move but refused.

Troopers did not specify exactly how he interfered.

Vehicle Accident

ARISTES – A Mount Carmel man was taken to a Montour County hospital after State Police at Bloomsburg say he struck a deer near this Conyngham Township community.

Troopers said the crash happened around 6am April 10 on the Aristes Highway, Route 42, north of Lilly Road.

Mark Maschal, 57, of Mount Carmel, was headed north in a 2005 Chevrolet Colorado when a deer entered the roadway.

He struck the deer and the vehicle was disabled.

Maschal was injured and taken to Geisinger Medical Center near Danville.

Vehicle Accident

NEW TRIPOLI – A Barnesville man was cited after State Police at Fogelsville say he left the road and struck a utility pole near this Lehigh County community last Friday.

Troopers said the crash happened around 8:30pm Friday as Michael Davis, 67, of Barnesville, was heading north on Route 309 in a 2019 Ford F250.

He lost control of the truck, left the roadway, and struck a telephone pole, troopers said.

He had minor injuries and refused transport. Troopers said he will be cited.

Aggravated Assault

PINE GROVE – A Pine Grove Township man is facing felony charges after State Police at Schuylkill Haven said he threatened his family with a shotgun.

Zachary Fidler, 38, of Summit Drive, is facing a host of charges, including felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor terroristic threats, reckless endangerment, simple assault, and disorderly conduct.

According to court paperwork, troopers were called to Summit Drive around 8pm April 8 for a domestic with weapons involved.

Troopers said Fidler was heavily drinking and got into a verbal argument with his family and is accused of punching holes in the wall, pushing his mother to the ground, and smashing her phone.

He got into a scuffle with multiple other family members before he grabbed a shotgun and racked it, pointing it at her sister, who feared for her life. She was taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries.

Fidler was committed to Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post $100,000 cash bail.

A preliminary hearing is today in Tremont.

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