David A. Plachko
PORT CARBON - A 29-year-old Coal Township woman charged with stealing another person's purse from Roman Delight restaurant at Fairlane Village mall in Norwegian Township on April 21 waived her right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko.
Melissa Jo Ritzman, 17 Centre St., was arrested by state police Trooper Timothy Rymarkiewicz of the Schuylkill Haven station and charged with one count each of theft and theft of property lost, mislaid or delivered by mistake.
By waiving her right to a hearing, Ritzman will have to answer to both charges in Schuylkill County Court.
Rymarkiewicz charged Ritz-man with taking a purse owned by Kelcie Fitzpatrick that contained her wallet, cash, her school identification, a bank card and a Kodak digital camera.
Ritzman was taken into custody a short time later by Pottsville police who investigated a retail theft where Ritzman tried to use the bank card owned by Fitzpatrick.
Other court cases included:
Diana Dewan, 55, of 1320 W. Norwegian St., Pottsville - waived for court: retail theft.
Robert F. Bellen, 29, of 108 Vaux Ave., Tremont - waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and making repairs to or selling offensive weapons.
Deanna K. Semanoff, no age available, of 180 S. Fifth St., Lehighton - held for court: retail theft.
Rebecca A. Barton, 37, of 39 N. Third St., Cressona - waived for court: unauthorized use of a vehicle.
Frank J. Nush, 59, of 412 N. Delaware Ave., Minersville - withdrawn: possession-sale-use of display documents and fraudulent use or removal of a registration plate; waived for court: DUI, DUI-highest rate and failure to keep right.
Keith L. Johnson, 29, of 2 S. 2nd St., Saint Clair - waived for court: DUI-high rate.