Phone scam
The Pennsylvania State Police is advising the public of a new phone scam in which callers inform victims their relatives are in danger.
After saying the relatives have either been taken hostage or involved in minor accidents, the callers say the victims must pay $2,000 or their relatives will be harmed, police said.
The caller also possesses some background information on the victim, police said.
These phone calls are typically placed from outside the area or country, but display local numbers, police said.
The police are asking the public to be aware of this and other scams throughout the year, and they are encouraging citizens to be mindful of their personal information and to be careful giving information over phone.
Those who have received these phone calls are asked to report them to their local police.
Burglary/theft
COAL TOWNSHIP - Someone broke into a vacant residence at 815 W. Spruce St. between Oct. 1 and Dec. 2, caused approximately $1,000 in damages and removed all the copper piping in the basement, reported Coal Township Police Department.
Patrolman Jeffrey Brennan said the house is owned by Margaret Heim, of 209 W. Willow St., Shamokin.
Criminal mischief
COAL TOWNSHIP - The front and rear windshields of a 2008 Ford Mustang owned by Richard Madden, 28, of 1223 Pulaski Ave., Coal Township, were smashed with a cement block at approximately 2:50 a.m. Dec. 5, according to Coal Township Patrolman Christopher Lapotsky.
Citations
COAL TOWNSHIP - The following citations were issued by Coal Township Code Enforcement Officer Chris Petrovich this week: accumulation of garbage on porch of Andre Jarell and Nico Hafer, of 1744 Mohawk St., Coal Township; high brush, grass and weeds at 1740-1742 Mohawk St., which is owned by George Atiyeh, of 1102 Fullerton Ave., Allentown, and accumulation of tires and construction debris on property of Mark Shingara, of 323 Center St., Coal Township.
Waives hearing
SHAMOKIN - Lori Ann Dewald, 47, of 1331 W. Susquehanna St., Trevorton, waived to court charges of driving under the influence of multiple drugs, failure to drive in a single lane and careless driving relating to a July 21 accident along Route 890 in Zerbe Township.
The charges were filed by Trooper David Townsend of state police at Stonington.
Dewald was ordered by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III to appear for plea court Jan. 6 at Northumberland County Courthouse in Sunbury, where she can plead guilty or no contest or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.