Two-vehicle crash
PAXINOS - Five people escaped injury in a two-vehicle crash at 8:32 p.m. Wednesday on Route 487 near Route 61.
State police at Stonington report a 2005 Chrysler Sebring, driven by Phylicia Foster, 23, of Coal Township, was traveling north on Route 487 and failed to stop for a 2006 Ford Escape, driven by Alyssa Tamkus, 24, of Shamokin, that was stopped in the northbound lane attempting to turn left. The Sebring struck the Escape in the rear, causing severe front-end damage to Foster's vehicle while Tamkus' SUV had moderate rear-end damage.
The two operators were wearing their seat belts, police said, as were their passengers, Eric Foster, 24, of Coal Township, and two females, ages 3 and 4, in the Sebring, and Courtney Brown, 19, of Shamokin, in the Escape.
Fleeing an officer
STRONG - Two Virginia residents were charged with fleeing or attempting to elude police following an incident near Arcos Road on July 1.
Mount Carmel Township Police Officer Keith Tamborelli reported in court documents that he was on patrol near Susquehanna Coal Company grounds when the operator of a Ranger ATV driven by Jason B. Ferris, 44, of 3036 Boliver Road, Fort Valley, Va., saw Tamborelli and turned around to avoid police.
A chase ensued and at one point the ATV stopped and Michael E. Shanahan, 38, of 222 Falcon Trail, Winchester, Va., a passenger, got off the vehicle and ran. The Ranger later flipped onto its side and Ferris was taken into custody; Shanahan was caught a short time later.
Both were charged with fleeing or attempting to elude police, criminal conspiracy, recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct and defiant criminal trespass. Ferris was also charged with operating an ATV on streets and highways, trespass by motor vehicle, driving while operating privilege is suspended, use of farm truck plates.
Both men were charged through the office of Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones, of Mount Carmel, with a preliminary hearing for both scheduled Wednesday.
3-vehicle accident
ZERBE TOWNSHIP - No one was injured in a three-vehicle crash in the area of Cherry Street and Route 225 near the Dollar General store at approximately 3 p.m. Wednesday.
Zerbe Township Police patrolman Josh Moyer said a 2003 Chrysler Town and Country van, driven by Ciara Voneida, 26, of 1134 W. Shamokin St., Trevorton, was traveling south when she took her eyes off the road to answer a phone call. Upon looking up, Voneida realized the vehicles in front of her were stopped, police said.
Her van rear-ended a stopped Subaru, driven by Zachaeria Yost, 20, of 1772 W. Wood St., Coal Township, and pushed in into a stopped 2008 Toyota Camry, operated by Jason Lynch, 34, of 619 W. Spruce St., Shamokin. Yost and Lynch were stopped due to a vehicle in front of Lynch that was waiting for northbound traffic to clear before turning left onto Cherry Street.
Police cited Voneida for careless driving and not driving at a safe speed. Assisting police were members of Trevorton Fire Company and AREA Services Ambulance.
Charges to court
MOUNT CARMEL - Jennifer Jo Musser, 31, of 207 S. Market St., Mount Carmel, had a charge of furnishing drug-free urine bound to court following her preliminary hearing Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones, of Mount Carmel.
Musser was charged by Mount Carmel Borough Police Cpl. Christopher Buhay after allegedly attempting to give a fake urine test on April 13.
She was ordered to appear for plea court on Sept. 24 at the Northumberland County Courthouse, Sunbury, where she can either plead guilty or no contest, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.
Theft from borough
MOUNT CARMEL - Matthew T. Sweda, 21, of 422 N. Oak St., Mount Carmel, was charged with criminal conspiracy and receiving stolen property following an investigation into the theft of cast-iron fittings and other items from the borough recreation complex.
Borough police officer William Adamski reported in court documents that Sweda was seen on video tape selling the fittings at a local recycling center.
The charges were filed with Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones, of Mount Carmel, with a preliminary hearing set for Wednesday.
DUI charges filed
ATLAS - Mount Carmel Township Police charged Daniel O. Ludwig, 50, of 326 E. Columbia Ave., Mount Carmel, with driving under the influence of a controlled substance and a traffic citation following a stop at 3:55 p.m. June 23.
Police were alerted to Ludwig after a report was called in on a suspicious male attempting to purchase cigarettes at the Choice store in Atlas by using cigarettes as currency. Blood testing done after Ludwig was stopped showed oxycodone in his system, police said.
Charges were filed with Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones, of Mount Carmel, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 12.
Garbage money theft
MOUNT CARMEL - A borough woman was charged in connection with a number of thefts of garbage money from residents in May.
Mount Carmel Borough Police charged Amanda L. Mayernick, 25, of 445 E. Center St., with theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and loitering and prowling at night. Police said she was taking payments marked for Moser Brothers Sanitation between May 14 and 17. According to her statement, she took between $35 to $45 those two days, police said.
A preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones, of Mount Carmel, is set for Wednesday.
DUI charges
EAST CAMERON TOWNSHIP - Kory V. Quercia, 23, of 7 Lia Road, Frackville, was charged with driving under the influence and various traffic violations following an accident on Route 125 near Boyers Grove Road at 12:23 a.m. July 13.
State Police Trooper Thomas Leib of the Stonington barracks filed the charges with Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones, Mount Carmel. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 5.
Altered sticker
STRONG - Mount Carmel Township Police charged Benjamin J. Kehler, 47, of 300 S. Maple St., Mount Carmel, with using altered, forged or counterfeit documents or plates, unauthorized use of an automobile, driving with a suspended license and violations concerning displaying a suspended license following an incident at the Strong Connector at 7:37 p.m. May 30.
Patrolman David Stamets Jr. reported in court documents that he stopped Kehler after receiving a report of a stolen vehicle that matched his vehicle. An investigation showed an incorrect registration sticker on the car.
A preliminary hearing will be held on Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones, of Mount Carmel.
DUI on motorcycle
RIVERSIDE - Wayne M. Kriebel Jr., 32, of 78 Five Points Road, Macungie, was charged with driving under the influence and a number of traffic violations following a traffic stop of his motorcycle at 2:26 a.m. July 13 on Route 54, Riverside. Chemical testing showed Kriebel's blood-alcohol level was .171 percent.
A preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones, of Mount Carmel, is set for Sept. 19.
Drug possession
LOCUST GAP - Paul Chicora, 29, of 932 Scott St., Kulpmont, was charged with criminal conspiracy, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia following a traffic stop on Route 901 in this village at 8:18 p.m. March 14.
Mount Carmel Township Police Patrolman David J. Stamets Jr. reported in court documents that Chicora was a passenger in a vehicle in which 240 grams of marijuana, a lighter and a scale were found. Chicora allegedly told police that the drugs were his in order to not get the other occupants in trouble.
A preliminary hearing for Chicora is set for November before Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones, of Mount Carmel.