Tower City man
flees after crash
TOWER CITY - A 29-year-old Tower City man suffered minor injuries when the 2008 Dodge Charger he was driving crashed on Gold Mine Road, just west of Clarks Valley Road in Porter Township, at 11:57 p.m. Tuesday.
State police at Schuylkill Haven said Brandon Hand was driving east when he fell asleep at the wheel, causing his car to go onto the south berm of the road, travel about 15 feet and hit a PPL utility pole.
The vehicle then turned clockwise about 145 degrees and came to a stop in the eastbound lane of the road, police said, adding that the pole was sheared off and landed on the front bumper area of the car.
Police said the man fled the scene after the crash and an extensive search of the area was conducted for several hours in an attempt to locate him
After about three hours, police said Hand was located after he returned to his home and was then taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street by Tower City-Porter Township EMS.
Assisting at the scene were firefighters and fire police from Tower City and Orwin along with state troopers from the Jonestown station.
Woman faces
harassment charge
PORT CARBON - A 22-year-old borough woman was charged with harassment by state police at Schuylkill Haven after an incident at 131 Pike St., Apt. 4, about 2:55 a.m. Tuesday.
Police said Kristi Burke will have to answer to the charge before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.
Burke, police said, became involved in a verbal argument with Christina Karinch, 19, of Pottsville, during which she struck Karinch in the face.
Bank card, money
taken from home
CRESSONA - State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a burglary that occurred at 37 Chestnut St. between 11 p.m. Aug. 28 and 6 p.m. Aug. 29.
Police said John Miller reported someone entered his home and stole an M&T Bank card, $187 and various personal items before fleeing.
Three purchases were later found to have been made with the stolen bank card, police said, adding that anyone with information can contact them at 570-739-1330. All information received will remain confidential.
Man charged
in tablet theft
ORWIGSBURG - A 35-year-old man was jailed after being arrested by Orwigsburg police for a burglary that occurred at 339 S. Wayne St. on Aug. 27.
Police said Charles Vincent Jr. reported that his 9-year-old son's Nexus 7 tablet computer was stolen from his home.
The investigation revealed that Steven Ryan, Vincent's brother-in-law, stole the item and subsequently confessed to the crime, police said.
Ryan was charged with theft related offenses and arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua. He was then committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $10,000 straight cash bail, police said.