Police Beat

It’s wildfire season around the Pocono Plateau. As I finish this column, there are a handful of fires burning fortunately in remote wooded areas. Please don’t toss lit cigarettes and the like, and don’t do any burning of yard debris (or trash) until the dry time passes.

4-4, a 57 y/o Albrightsville man was jailed after he strangled a 61 y/o woman during an argument at an Indian Mountain Lakes home. She was able to escape and called 911. She had difficulty breathing during the incident and had visible injuries to her neck when police arrived. The man was arrested and taken to PSP-Fern Ridge HQ where charges were prepared. He was then taken to the Monroe County jail.

4-3, 2:35 p.m., PSP was called to Reeders Run Road in Jackson Twp. due to an unattended child riding his bike in the middle of the road. Police determined the 3 y/o was a half mile from home. His parent and grandparent will be charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

4-3, PSP-F had a vehicle drive off from a traffic stop on Route 209 in Brodheadsville at 1:47 a.m. After a pursuit of about 4 miles, police terminated the chase, and left the PSP-Lehighton to locate the operator of the black Ford Escape (a Kunkletown man).

PSP-F was called to a Penn Forest Twp. home to investigate a death of a 69 y/o local man on 4-4, just after 11 a.m. The investigation is ongoing (paperwork indicates a natural death).

There were too many domestic incidents in this batch. Many resulted in both parties being cited.

by Seth Isenberg

An investigation is underway on the sexual assaults to a 13 y/o Jackson Twp. girl over the past nine years.

The Pocono Plateau is not

HIGH Enough for some

There were a small armful of DUI reports. Here’s one: PSP was called to a car rubber side up just after 10:30 p.m. on 3-22 at Miller Road and Route 715 in Jackson Twp. The driver had fled by the time police arrived. He was located at his house, where it was determined that he’d driven while under the influence of alcohol. Charges will be filed.

Add to these DUI crashes off Interstate 80 (no injuries), and traffic stops where drugs were found (plus a few for pot).

PSP arrested a 31 y/o Williamsport, PA, man on 3-30 for drug possession and likely drug dealing after a traffic stop on Interstate 80 in Kidder Twp. where, during a search, they found 120 tablets of likely Oxycodone and 100 of likely morphine…plus a bit of personal pot.

Stealin’

There was a wide variety of identity thefts in the reports. Discovered 3-19, that burglars entered an Effort home under construction on Route 115 and stole flooring, kitchen cabinets and tools at some time between 3-5 and 19. PSP-F seeks any leads and welcomes information call them at 570 646-2271.

On 4-6, PSP is investigating fraudulent checks being cashed written from a local businessman’s company account. The bank was able to reimburse the company.

PennDOT

PennDOT’s 12-Year Program update forum was held on April 12. Every two years the State Transportation Commission (STC) and PennDOT update Pennsylvania’s 12 year program. Public feedback is a critical part of that process. The public comment period for the TYP update continues through April 30.

For more information visit www. TalkPATransportation.com. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects. penndot.gov.

Use www.511PA.com to check conditions on 40,000+ miles of PA roads for free. It provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to 1000+ traffic cameras. It’s also a smartphone application, or by calling 5-1-1.

Locally, crews are out pothole patching, crack sealing, road sweeping, doing drainage work and tree trimming. Winter roads maintenance will continue as needed. Be aware of some night time utility work scheduled for Interstate 80 between exits 305 and 307, and also on Route 209 between the Route 33 split and Beaver Valley Road on 4-13 into 14.