Package taken from porch
MAHANOY CITY - Borough police Chief Mark Wiekrykas said delivered packages have been taken from porches in the borough and police are investigating.
"They were taken after they were delivered by the post office and FedEx and before the homeowners got home," Wiekrykas said. "We actually recovered the packages because whoever opened them realized there was nothing of value to him or her and just dumped them. We want people to be cautious with their packages."
Wiekrykas released a description of a suspect who removed a package about 1:45 p.m. Monday from a porch near Catawissa and Maple streets.
The suspect is male, 18 to 21 years old with a thin build and wearing a white hooded sweatshirt and khaki pants.
"The witnesses described either a knee brace on the outside of his pants or tape wrapped around his leg as if to support his leg," Wiekrykas said. "He was confronted by neighbors after taking the package, at which time he abandoned and fled."
Police warn of phone scam
MAHANOY CITY - Borough police Chief Mark Wiekrykas warned residents about sending money to help free an alleged relative from jail through what is called a "grandparent scam."
"This is where someone gets a phone call that a grandson is in jail in Mexico and needs money," Wiekrykas said. "We had someone from the borough contact us here a couple of days ago that she got a long-distance phone call from her 'grandson' in Mexico and that he was in trouble. She 'Western-Unioned' $1,500 to a phone number in Mexico.
"We just want to get this scam alert out to everyone and ask people to be cautious," he said.
Woman assaulted in Tamaqua
TAMAQUA - Tamaqua police are investigating an assault that occurred at 7:54 p.m. Dec. 5.
Police said a woman was walking on Hegarty Avenue behind Citizens Fire Company when two men approached her from behind and physically assaulted her.
She was taken to St. Luke's University Hospital-Bethlehem for treatment, police said.
One man was described as tall with dark clothing and a red bandana covering his face, while the other was shorter with a husky build and had a dark-colored bandana covering his face.
Anyone with information is asked to call Tamaqua police at 570-668-5000.
Cressona store broken into
CRESSONA - State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a burglary that occurred between 3:30 p.m. Saturday and 9:10 a.m. Wednesday at Eifert's Outgrown Outlet, 9 Walnut St.
Police said the suspect broke a window at the front of the business and once inside, slightly turned a cash register and knocked a telephone onto the floor, then fled.
No items were reported missing, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to call state police at 570-593-2000.
Pottsville woman faces charge
REEDSVILLE - Donna M. Jones, 39, of Pottsville, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol following an incident at 11:24 p.m. Tuesday at the state police station at Schuylkill Haven.
State police at Schuylkill Haven said that Jones arrived at the station to report a crash that she was involved in near Reading.
Police said that upon interviewing Jones, they determined she was intoxicated and arrested her for DUI.
Pottsville man not hurt in crash
HECKSCHERVILLE - Michael J. Yurkonis, 20, of Pottsville, escaped injury in a one-vehicle crash at 10:15 p.m. Tuesday on Valley Road in Cass Township.
State police at Frackville said Yurkonis, driving a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee, was traveling south on Valley Road when he failed to follow a right curve in the roadway.
Yurkonis crossed the center line, then over-steered back and caused the vehicle to spin counterclockwise, police said.
The vehicle continued forward with the rear of it leading as it exited the west berm and struck a PPL utility pole. Police said the vehicle was towed from the scene.
Yurkonis was not injured and will be cited for failing to drive on roadways laned for traffic and for not wearing a seat belt.