Police warn of scams, fraud
FRACKVILLE - State police at Frackville issued a fraud alert after an incident Tuesday involving a West Mahanoy Township resident and a bail scam attempt.
Police said that in these scams, a person will call and say a relative, such as a grandchild or niece or nephew, is in a foreign jail and has one call for bail. The person will also leave instructions on how the money should be wired.
Telephone numbers are given and names and ranks used, making the calls appear to be official, police said.
By using social media outlets, police said, the callers may even be able to tell the names of family members and provide other personal information.
In a recent case, police said the resident was told the person calling was Sgt. Miller and provided a call-back number for money transfer instructions. The man even knew the name of the resident's nephew, who he said was in a Mexican jail.
Police said the person calling will also mention the relative does not want his parents, spouse or children to know that he or she has traveled and that is why they cannot be contacted.
The callers are also adept at gathering some personal information through small talk and then using it in the conversation to sound convincing, police said.
At no time should money be wired to any location that the sender cannot be sure of, police said, adding that if information is received that you have won a lottery prize, about a jailed relative or to secure inheritance, no money should be sent.
Anyone receiving such a telephone call should contact their local police department or the closest state police station.
19 apprehended for trespassing
TAMAQUA - Borough police apprehended 19 people between the ages of 15 and 22 for underage drinking and trespassing at 11:15 p.m. Thursday near the water tower and St. Jerome Cemetery on Catawissa Street.
Police said they were alerted through an anonymous tip to the Schuylkill County Communications Center after numerous vehicles were seen dropping people off in the wooded area near the cemetery. Police said the caller was concerned because this has occurred numerous times and houses had been vandalized.
Tamaqua police were assisted by Rush Township and Coaldale police departments and used a thermal imaging camera.
Police said all juveniles under 18 were released to their parents. Police said nine citations will be filed for underage drinking and all will be cited for trespass.
Pottsville man faces charges
Pottsville police arrested Travis Reichert, 24, of Pottsville, for simple assault after he attacked Tyler Coover, 21, of Saint Clair, at 11:35 p.m. Thursday on the 600 block of North Centre Street.
Police said they found Coover bleeding from a large wound on his head and he was treated at the scene before being transported to Schuylkill Medical Center-East Jackson Street.
Police said Reichert was taken into custody a short time later. He was arraigned before on-duty Magisterial District Judge Carol A. Pankake, Tremont, and remanded to Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of 10 percent $15,000 bail.
Woman charged with assault
Pottsville police arrested Jill Steffie, 28, of Pottsville, on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault and reckless endangering another person after she stabbed her boyfriend, James Maquire, 38, of Middleport, on the left side of his face at 6:27 a.m. Friday at 532 E. Market St.
Police said Steffie was taken into custody without incident and Maquire was transported to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street for further treatment.
Police said a five-inch serrated blade was recovered from the scene.
Steffie was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, and remanded to Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of 10 percent $15,000 bail.
4 businesses cited by state
Four area businesses were cited by the state police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement for various infractions of the state Liquor Law.
- M&T Take Outs, 200-202 S. Main St., Shenandoah - not maintaining sufficient food items, eating utensils and dishes and failing to provide food on request Feb. 22, April 3 and May 1.
The business was also cited for allowing smoking in a public place where smoking is prohibited May 18 and 30.
- The Watering Hole, 241 Second St., Porter Township, Joliett - permitting devices that allow music or other advertisements to be heard beyond the licensed property line April 21.
- Mine Shaft Cafe, 1116-1118 Centre St., Ashland - furnishing alcohol to a minor May 18.
- Who's Place Bar and Grill, 337-339 E. Centre St., Shenandoah - selling alcohol to a minor May 18.
The charges will now be brought before an administrative law judge, who has the authority to impose fines ranging from $50 to $1,000 for minor offenses and up to $5,000 for more serious infractions.
In addition, the judge can impose a license suspension or revocation and mandate training for the licensee in an effort to educate them on the requirements of having a Pennsylvania Liquor License.