Police Beat

Applications are open for this year’s Camp Cadet program, to be held July 23 to 28 at Marywood University. This is a free leadership/ law enforcement overnight camp for kids ages 13 to 15. Visit www.trooprcampcadet. org to learn more and apply online. Deadline to apply is March 17.

A 14 y/o Pleasant Valley High School student made threats heard by other students of shooting teachers using a shotgun the morning of 2-3. Three students approached a principal. The boy was detained, and his parents brought in. During an interview in front of his parents, he admitted to making these statements during class. The Monroe County District Attorney’s Office approved criminal charges of terroristic threats and harassment. The boy was taken to PA State Police–Fern Ridge for processing, and released to the county Sheriff, who took him to the Bucks County Juvenile Detention Center.

1-25, 8:41 p.m., PSP made a traffic stop on Route 115 and found a 39 y/o Lehigh Valley man drunk and under the influence of some drug. He was arrested for DUI. PSP made a few more DUI arrests over these past few weeks. A special PSP detail will be out on Super Bowl Sunday in hopes of discouraging drinking and driving that evening.

PSP also is involved in checking the information provided for locals to obtain gun licenses. Reports are issued when people are denied (a 25 y/o Effort applicant was turned down on 1-26).

Keeping the Rubber Side down

by Seth Isenberg

checks, then forged his signature on checks totaling $8,210. PSP is investigating.

A 22 y/o Albrightsville woman driving Route 534 on 1-11 on a foggy morning, driving on slushy roads, lost control of her Ford Fusion and drove through a utility pole before coming to a stop. She was taken to St. Luke’sCarbon by Lehighton EMS having been injured when the airbag went off.

1-24 just before 4 p.m., an Amazon van collided with the SUV of a local in Towamensing Trails, Albrightsville. Fender damage to the SUV was the result. Amazon driver was sent along with a ticket from PSP for failing to yield right of way.

1-29, 6:33 a.m., an Albrightsville local, driving south on Merwinsburg Road in her Ram 2500, had a deer enter the road ahead of her and she swerved and hit a curb, causing her to lose control and go off the road into a tree. An airbag deployed…and she was not hurt.

2-3 into 4, a snow event was the cause of accidents around the Pocono Plateau. No injuries but there were dents, scuffed up trees andor bent guide rails.

Stealin’

12-18, an Albrightsville 23 y/o is charged with theft for putting household trash in a business’ dumpster in Chestnuthill. 1-30, a 33 y/o Tobyhanna woman is charged with theft for dumping her household trash and lots more in the Jackson Twp. Fire Company’s dumpster.

12-20, an 80 y/o Albrightsville man had money stolen by thieves that duplicated his personal

1-6, a 57 y/o Effort woman was caught trying to steal a microwave oven from Kinsley’s in Brodheadsville.

1-10, a 40 y/o Albrightsville woman reported a scam, which started with an e-mail claiming to be from PayPal about a pending $1,399.99 withdrawal from her account. She then called a person via a number on the e-mail and spoke to a person who posed as a PayPal representative. At this point, she gave them remote access to her husband’s laptop… later calling PSP-F.

Another scam, an 82 y/o Albrightsville man received a phone call telling him he was the winner of 5 million dollars and a 2022 Mercedes Benz. To secure his winnings, he was told to buy a $500 American Express card and provide the information to the caller. The man did this, and after giving the caller the information, the call was lost. The victim was not able to reestablish contact…At this point, he contacted police.

There are more reports of identity theft.

2-8 10:28 a.m., Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department attempted a traffic stop along Route 196 in Coolbaugh Twp on a gray BMW sedan. The vehicle fled north, then made a u-turn at the K&L gate of A Pocono County Place, fleeing southbound at a high rate of speed. PMRP was able to bring the vehicle to a stop, but male driver then fled on foot. PMRP was able to identify the driver as a 19 y/o Brooklyn, New York man. He was located and was taken into custody about 4 p.m. A search of the car found marijuana and drug paraphernalia. It was also not street legal. He was put into the Monroe jail pending his arraignment on charges of fleeing and eluding, reckless endangering, possession of marijuana and multiple summary offense for traffic violations.

1 24 about 6 p.m., PMRPD was dispatched to a vehicle crash on Belgravia Drive in Coolbaugh Township. The driver of the vehicle fled before police arrived. Police learned that the car, a black lnfiniti, was stolen two days ago out of Worcester, MA. Police conducted follow up interviews with residents in the area. Based on the investigation, officers were able to identify and locate the suspect to be a 26 y/o local. He was located and arrested without incident, then committed to Monroe County Correctional jail pending arraignment for car theft, operating a vehicle while having a suspended license, and charges related to the crash.

1-21, PMRPD was dispatched to Bill’s Shop Rite, Mount Pocono for a retail theft. Prior to police arrival, it was reported that the suspects had a confrontation with store employees in the parking lot and remove their license plate, then had fled striking a shopping cart being held by one of the employees on the way out.

Responding patrol officers saw a vehicle traveling north on Route 196 matching the vehicle description, without a plate. When police tried to stop the vehicle, it fled and then crashed shortly after on Old Post Road. Both the driver and passenger were positively identified as the suspects. The total merchandise stolen was $139. Both were arrested and taken to the Monroe County Central Booking Center. They were identified as being from Bayonne, NJ. The 30 y/o driver was arrested and sent to the Monroe County jail to await arraignment on the fleeing charges, simple assault, and retail theft. The passenger, 26, was released after booking. Also 1-21, PMRPD was dispatched to in Mount Pocono Wal-Mart for a retail theft. Police were advised that the suspect had loaded up a shopping cart with merchandise and attempted to leave the store. When confronted, the suspect tried to assault the Wal-Mart loss prevention officer and fled the store without the merchandise. A description of the suspect was given and police were able to review video of the incident. Wal-Mart tallied the amount that the suspect attempted to steal - $1,246. A short time later, on a separate incident, Police observed a female matching the suspect’s description, positively identified her and placed her into custody. She was transported to Monroe jail to await arraignment on theft, simple assault and disorderly conduct charges.

PennDOT

Winter weather duty will continue as there is some. Keep alert for black ice when temperatures are below freezing.

Pothole patching will continue as weather stays warmer than normal. Crews are doing some tree cutting, and crack sealing. A brushcutting team is also in our area. Keep alert for winter conditions. Please limit your speed when there is snow and ice.