Police Briefs 12-26-09

Police Briefs

Man charged with DUI

A Laceyville man has been sent a summons to appear before Magisterial District Judge Fred Wheaton to answer a charge of driving while under the influence.

According to information filed in Wheaton's office, Ronald P. Hunsinger, 19, has also been charged by state police with driving on the wrong side of the road, failure to use his turn signals, speeding, reckless driving, operating a vehicle with a bald tire, and failure to wear his seatbelt.

Police reported stopping a Ford Escort around 1:16 a.m. on Nov. 1 after clocking it traveling at 95 mph in a posted 40 mph zone on state Route 187 near state Route 2010.

After stopping the vehicle, police said, they spoke with the driver, identified as Hunsinger, who explained that he was driving fast because he was low on gas and in a hurry to get to a friend's house. While speaking to Hunsinger, police continued, they noted a odor of alcohol on his person.

Hunsinger was placed under arrest for DUI and transported to Memorial Hospital in Towanda, where he consented to a blood test. The test eventually revealed that Hunsinger's blood alcohol content was .084 percent on the day of his arrest.

Hunsinger is scheduled to appear before Judge Wheaton on Jan. 27.

Woman faces drunk driving charge

A Laceyville woman was arrested by state police recently on a charge of driving while under the influence.

According to state police, Susan Viola Sane, 51, has also been charged with driving on the wrong side of the road, operating a vehicle at an unsafe speed, careless driving, and failure to wear her seatbelt.

Police reported being dispatched on Dec. 3 to a motor vehicle accident that occurred on state Route 367, just south of Turkey Path Road in Tuscarora Township. When they arrived, police continued, they spoke to the driver, who was identified as Sane.

While speaking to her, police said, they observed a moderate odor of alcohol coming from her breath and person, and that her eyes were glassy and bloodshot, and her speech was slurred. Police said they also observed an open bottle of Nikola brand vodka, which EMS personnel said Sane was consuming when they arrived on the scene.

Police said that Sane was eventually charged with DUI, and refused to submit to a blood test.

Sane has been sent a summons to appear before Magisterial District Judge Fred Wheaton.

Criminal mischief investigated

State police are investigating an incident of criminal mischief that occurred recently in Monroe Township.

According to police, perpetrators damaged a mailbox owned by Cynthia Brown of Towanda between 5 p.m. on Dec. 19, and 6:30 a.m. on Dec. 20.

Windshield broken in Towanda

State police are investigating an incident of criminal mischief that occurred recently in Towanda.

Police reported that perpetrators broke the windshield of a 1993 Ford F-150 pickup truck owned by Larry Richard Nichols, 60 of Towanda between 10 p.m. on Dec. 18 and 6 p.m. on Dec. 19 while it was parked at his residence.

Anyone with information about the incident is requested to contact the state police at (570) 265-2186.

Woman accused of forgery

An Ulster woman was arrested by state police recently on a charge of forgery.

According to information filed with Magisterial District Judge Fred Wheaton, Stefany Jean Miller, 22, has also been charged with two counts of access device fraud, identity theft, theft by unlawful taking, and receiving stolen property.

Police reported that Miller is accused of using a credit card on Oct. 23 owned by Judith VanKuren to purchase $51 in gasoline and $20.06 for cigarettes at the Dandy Mini Mart in Wysox.

Miller was arraigned before Judge Wheaton on Dec. 3, who ordered the defendant released on $5,000 unsecured bail. Miller's preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Jan. 27.

Man accused of resisting arrest

A Towanda man was arrested by borough police recently on allegations he refused to provide information on his identity when asked to do so by the authorities.

According to papers filed with Magisterial District Judge Tim Clark, George F. Allen, 51, has been charged by Towanda police with obstructing the administration of the law or other government functions; resisting arrest; loitering and prowling at nighttime; and public drunkenness.

Police said they received a report around 5:20 p.m. on Dec. 14 that someone was loitering around St. Agnes School. When they arrived at the scene to investigate, police said, they spoke with a man who was later identified as Allen.

Police said they spoke to Allen, asking what he was doing in the area. Allen was very defiant, police said, and said he did not have to tell them. While speaking to him, police continued, they noted the smell of an alcoholic beverage coming from his person.

When they asked for identified, police said, Allen was unable to find it, and eventually turned around and told them it was in his rear pocket. Police said they removed a police badge and identification card from the pocket, from the Henderson Police Department in Nevada.

Police said they asked Allen several times for his date of birth, but he refused to tell them. Eventually, the report continued, Allen was instructed to place his hands behind his back because he was under arrest. Allen started to resist, police said, and eventually officers had to wrestle him to the ground, and use a Taser on him.

After being taken into custody, Allen was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Fred Wheaton, who ordered the defendant incarcerated in lieu of $5,000 bail.

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