Dog death investigated
SHAMOKIN - Richard Wright, field investigator for Phoenix Rescue Humane Police Department, Carlisle, is investigating the death of a dog that was discovered dead in a vacant lot at Seventh and Willow streets.
Wright, whose agency investigates animal cruelty cases in Northumberland County, said there's a possibility the partially decomposed pug, which has been dead four or five weeks, may have been the victim of animal cruelty. He said the dog was less than five years old.
"We believe it was left out in the heat with no food or water," Wright said. "No wounds were found on the body, but it may have been abused."
He said the dog didn't have a license on it, but a piece of rope was tied to its collar.
Wright said a concerned neighbor notified him about the dog, which was removed from the lot at about 1:15 p.m. Wednesday by city street department employees with the assistance of police.
Anyone with information about the dog or other potential animal cruelty complaints should call Wright at 570-556-1023 or department chief Ron Hollister at 717-226-1575.
Guilty pleas
SHAMOKIN - Two defendants pleaded guilty Tuesday to disorderly conduct and were ordered by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III to pay fines and costs.
Robert Pesarchick, 45, of 2102 W. Independence St., Coal Township, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and was ordered to pay a $300 fine plus costs and placed on supervised probation for one year. Additional charges of terroristic threats, resisting arrest and public drunkenness were withdrawn.
Pesarchick was charged by Coal Township Patrolman Joshua Wynn in connection with a June 13 disturbance at his residence.
Police said Pesarchick, who was intoxicated and allegedly had a gun, approached several police officers who were dispatched to his home. Police said Pesarchick was yelling and screaming at them to hit him. Pesarchick was acting aggressively toward police and a stun gun was used, police said. Pesarchick resisted police and refused to be handcuffed.
A relative told police Pesarchick threatened to kill a family member, police said.
Dennis Hynes Jr., 22, of Coal Township, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and criminal mischief and was ordered to pay a $200 fine plus costs and make $150 restitution. A charge of public drunkenness was withdrawn.
Hynes was charged by Patrolman Joshua Wynn in connection with a June 28 disturbance along Route 61 in the east end of the township.
Charges dismissed
MOUNT CARMEL - Criminal charges filed against two defendants were dismissed Wednesday by Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones when the victims in the cases refused to testify.
- Charges of simple assault and harassment filed by Trooper James McCormick Jr. of state police at Stonington were dismissed against Wallace Seltzer, 29, of Danville, when the 33-year-old unidentified female victim refused to testify.
The charges were filed in connection with a July 4 disturbance at 33 Hummer Road, Rush Township.
Police said Seltzer became involved in a verbal argument with the victim before allegedly choking the victim, pulling her hair, pushing her to the ground, punching her in the back and kneeing her in the side.
Seltzer also had simple assault and harassment charges dismissed relating to a July 6 disturbance at 33 Hummer Road when the unidentified female victim refused to testify.
In that case, Seltzer was charged by Trooper Thomas Leib of state police at Stonington with bouncing an object off the head of the victim, causing her a 1-inch laceration on the back of her head. He also allegedly used a baseball bat to smash items in the residence, grabbed the victim's hair and threw her onto the floor.
- Brieana Lynn Hine, 21, of 14 S. Walnut St., Mount Carmel, had charges of simple assault and harassment dismissed when her mother, Debra Dinklocker, refused to testify.
Hine was charged by Mount Carmel Lt. Christopher Buhay with assaulting Dinklocker May 22 at their residence.
DUI
MOUNT CARMEL TOWNSHIP - Michael A. Halpin, 51, of 330 W. Girard St., Atlas, was charged by Patrolman Daniel Politza with two counts of driving under the influence of a controlled substance and one count of careless driving involving a March 26 two-vehicle accident in front of his home.
Police said Halpin had oxycodone and lorazepam in his blood system.
Burglary offenses
MOUNT CARMEL - Charges of burglary, criminal trespass and criminal attempt to commit theft were filed by Patrolman Matthew Dillman against Richard Paul Conner, 46, of 50 S. Second St., Shamokin, relating to an April 4 burglary at the residence of Roxanne Misner, of 343 S. Oak St.
According to a criminal complaint filed at the office of Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones, Conner entered Misner's residence and attempted to steal a Nintendo Wii game system.
Simple assault
MOUNT CARMEL - Patrolman Justin Stelma has charged Jake D. Stellar, 24, of 245 E. Fourth St., Mount Carmel, with simple assault and harassment.
Police reported Stellar punched Robert Longo in the left eye, causing him to get several stitches.
Police said the assault occurred at 12:40 p.m. June 19 at Third and Oak streets.
Drug, drunkenness charges
MOUNT CARMEL - Anthony M. Bosland, 43, of 115 W. Fifth St., Mount Carmel, was charged by Patrolman Matthew Dillman with possessing three tablets of acetaminophen and hydrocodone, public drunkenness and disorderly conduct relating to an incident at about 3:30 a.m. July 5 in the first block of North Oak Street.
Police reported Bosland was intoxicated and urinated in the bushes next to a building.
Multiple charges
KULPMONT - Patrolman Joshua Pastucka has filed multiple charges against Chad M. Neiman, 28, of 716 E. Dewart St., Shamokin, for a disturbance at about 6 p.m. Friday at Second and Chestnut streets.
Police reported Neiman was observed driving a Jeep Cherokee south on Chestnut Street at 63 miles per hour, which is 28 miles per hour over the speed limit. Police said Neiman parked the Jeep behind Pete's Pizzeria along Route 61, exited the vehicle and ran toward a wooded area before being taken into custody by police.
When asked by police why he was running, Neiman stated, "Because me and Kulpmont cops don't get along."
Neiman was charged with flight to avoid apprehension, resisting arrest, driving under suspension, driving without a license, speeding and careless driving.
Fingerprint violation
MOUNT CARMEL - Joseph S. Spagnolo III, 36, of 246 S. Oak St., Apt. 2, Mount Carmel, has been charged by Patrolman Matthew Dillman with failing to be fingerprinted and processed in accordance with a court order.
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed at the office of Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones, Spagnolo was charged in connection with a May 26 assault and consequently ordered by Jones to be fingerprinted between May 27 and June 3. Dillman reminded Spagnolo June 18 and July 2 while he was attending his preliminary hearing that he had to be fingerprinted and processed within 24 hours, but Spagnolo failed to do so.
Sobriety checkpoints
POTTSVILLE - The North Central Highway Safety Network's Regional DUI Enforcement Group and Coal Township police announced roving patrols or sobriety checkpoints will be conducted today through Saturday, July 26, on Routes 61, 225, 125, 54, 487, 901 and 147 or other connecting roadways into municipalities.
Travelers are reminded to report drunk drivers by dialing 911. To report underage drinking, call 1-888-under-21.
The roving patrols and checkpoints are funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and National Highway Safety Administration.