Man found in car
accused of thefts
A 43-year-old man was jailed after being arrested by Pottsville police stemming from an incident in the city about 1:25 a.m. Tuesday.
Police said Robert D. Steffie Jr., who has no known address, was arraigned on charges of loitering and prowling at night, persistent disorderly conduct, theft and public drunkenness.
He was then committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $2,500 bail set by on-call Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi, Tremont.
Police said officers were called to the 1300 block of Mahantongo Street where a resident reported a man wearing jeans, a plaid jacket and a hat on backward was entering his 2011 Lexus SUV without permission.
Officers immediately found a man fitting the description, later identified as Steffie, sitting in the passenger's seat of a red Pontiac that was parked in front of 1310 Howard Ave., police said.
It was determined that Steffie was not the owner of the vehicle and did not have permission to enter it, police said.
During the course of the investigation, police said, several items seized from Steffie were thought to be stolen from vehicles parked in the area.
Anyone discovering items missing from their parked vehicles or having reason to think their vehicles were entered during the overnight hours is asked to call police at 570-622-1234 and leave a message at mailbox 188.
Police Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky urged all citizens to lock their unattended vehicle at all times and to immediately report any suspicious events or people in their neighborhood.
Police cite man
for hotel damages
Pottsville police arrested a 44-year-old man and charged him in connection with an incident about 12:30 a.m. Saturday at the Pottsville Motor Inn.
Police said James A. Johnson, who has no permanent address, was arraigned on charges of criminal mischief and disorderly conduct and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $15,000 straight cash bail set by Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi, Tremont.
According to police, officers were called to the hotel Room 147 where Johnson was staying. He allegedly threw a microwave and dresser through a window. The man also smashed holes in the walls and broke a lamp, police said, adding that damage was in excess of $2,000.
1 injured, cited in
Freightliner crash
MAHANOY CITY - A New York state truck driver suffered minor injuries when the 2014 Freightliner tractor-trailer he was driving crashed about 3:15 a.m. Monday in the southbound lanes of Interstate 81, just west of Burma Road in Mahanoy Township.
State police at Frackville said Michael P. Chetner, Lake Peekskill, was driving south when he lost control, exited the east berm and struck the guide rails.
The truck went through the guide rails and into the median where it struck an embankment and came to a stop jackknifed facing south.
Chetner was taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street by Ryan Township EMS for treatment of back pain.
He will receive a citation for driving on roadways laned for traffic as a result of the crash, police said.