SHAMOKIN - City police have issued summary warrants on two property owners who have allowed their properties to fall into disrepair.
Cpl. Bryan Primerano issued the warrants to Jhoel Leonardo, of 13201 95th Ave., South Richmond Hill, Queens, N.Y., and Ola A, Adedeji, no known permanent address, Monday, after they were cited a fifth time each by police for creating a public nuisance due to the conditions of properties they own in the city.
"This isn't about having them pay the fines or putting them in jail," Primerano said Friday. "It's about getting them in court to address the problem."
Both property owners have been cited five times by police after first being cited three times by city code enforcement officer Rick Bozza.
"In the past year, when Rick came into the office, we are really working together to crack down on these properties," Primerano said.
If no action is taken, officials will take their case to Magisterial District Judge John Gembic to upgrade the summary offenses to a misdemeanor charge of creating a public nuisance.
It is the same charge that Allentown landlord George Atiyeh faces because he failed to bring two Shamokin properties up to code. After a preliminary hearing, at which Atiyeh failed to appear, Gembic issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
In April, Atiyeh was given 60 days to bring properties at 506 Bear Valley Ave. and 549 S. Seventh St. up to code, but failed to do so.
In Leonardo's case, the warrant deals with a property at 625 E. Commerce St., which Bozza said is collapsing from the inside out.
Debris has fallen from the top floor to the first floor. Support beams are bending and a staircase has completely collapsed.
Looking from Pearl Street, a hole in the building has opened almost floor to ceiling.
Adedeji's property is located at 204-206 W, Mulberry St., between Market and Coal streets. According to Bozza, a side porch is in danger of collapsing, and the interior floors have already fallen. There is also four feet of standing water in the basement.
"These are some of the worst of the 20 properties we are working together to fix up," Primerano said. "We know that these owners are interested because the taxes are paid up to this year on them."
While police officers are always issuing warrants for criminals, Primerano said its the first time he can remember putting out a warrant on a property owner.
"These properties are among the most dangerous ones, and the potential is there to hurt someone or damage other properties," Primerano said. "It's time these problems are addressed."
Anyone with information on Leonardo's or Adedeji's whereabouts or how to contact them is urged to contact Shamokin City Police 570-648-5708.