Lebanon County Police Blotter
This week’s police blotter features reports from various Lebanon County police departments, including incidents related to deceptive towing practices, Driving Under the Influence (DUI), and other offenses.
Beware of Bad Tows
Dealing with a car crash or breakdown is stressful, and unfortunately, scammers sometimes take advantage of vulnerable people. One such scam involves “predatory towing,” where unscrupulous tow-truck operators use aggressive tactics to inflate fees. Chris Sloan, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority, noted that while most towing companies are honest, a growing number are seeking to swindle drivers.
Here are some tips to avoid being a victim:
- Watch out for tow trucks that swarm crash scenes. Legitimate tow truck operators are typically dispatched by the police. If a tow truck arrives without police authorization, ask the police to dispatch a proper tow.
- Review the fees carefully. Make sure you understand the paperwork and what you are being charged. Be wary of blank invoices. Know the towing company’s information.
- Identify the tow company. Gather the company’s business card or take a picture of the tow truck and its license plate.
For more information on how to ensure your tow operator is legitimate or to report a suspicious tow, visit KnowYourTow.org.
City of Lebanon
The following licensed establishment in Lebanon County was cited in February by the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement:
- Friendship Social Club, 610 S. 2nd St., Lebanon: Failed to maintain proper records as required by Pennsylvania’s liquor code.
Charges are pending before an administrative law judge who can apply penalties, including fines, license suspensions or revocations, and mandatory training.
Additionally, the following individuals were charged by Lebanon City Police:
- Public Drunkenness: A 36-year-old man was charged on the 1300 block of Cumberland Street on Feb. 1.
- Disorderly Conduct: A 43-year-old woman was charged on the 800 block of Federal Street on Feb. 2.
- Public Drunkenness: A 39-year-old man was charged on the 1200 block of Bitner Boulevard on Feb. 4.
- Public Drunkenness: A 63-year-old man was charged on the 00 block of North 7th Street on Feb. 6.
- Retail Theft: A 60-year-old woman was charged on the 600 block of North 7th Street on Feb. 10.
- Disorderly Conduct: A 62-year-old man was charged on the 200 block of South 4th Street on Feb. 15.
- Disorderly Conduct: A 61-year-old man was charged on the 200 block of South 4th Street on Feb. 15.
- Criminal Trespass, Disorderly Conduct: A 33-year-old man was charged on the 200 block of East Cumberland Street on Feb. 19.
- Public Drunkenness: A 24-year-old man was charged on the 600 block of Quentin Road on Feb. 22.
- Public Drunkenness: A 19-year-old woman was charged on the 1200 block of Cumberland Street on Feb. 22.
- Disorderly Conduct: A 51-year-old man was charged on the 100 block of South 10th Street on Feb. 23.
- Public Drunkenness: A 30-year-old man was charged on the 1200 block of Willow Street on Feb. 23.
- Public Drunkenness: A 43-year-old man was charged in the area of 9th and Cumberland streets on Feb. 26.
- Harassment: A 52-year-old resident was charged on the 600 block of Quentin Road on Feb. 27.
- DUI: On March 3, Jonathan Sanchez-Rodriguez, 34, was charged with DUI-alcohol and period for required lighted lamps after a traffic stop on the 900 block of Willow Street.
- Retail Theft: On March 2, Mabelyn Gonzalez, 60, was charged after an incident on the 800 block of South 12th Street.
- Disorderly Conduct, Public Drunkenness: On March 1, Jason Burket, 43, was charged after police responded to a report of a suspicious person in the area of 9th and Walton streets.
- Illegally Operating a Vehicle Not Equipped with Ignition Interlock: On Feb. 26, Patricia Bowser, 56, was charged after a traffic stop on the 600 block of Quentin Road.
- Evading Arrest or Detention on Foot, Drug Possession: Jymir Hargrove, 22, was charged with evading arrest or detention on foot and possession of drug paraphernalia after a police attempt to arrest him on 8th and Monument streets on Feb. 27.
- Simple Assault, Disorderly Conduct: On March 4, Domingo Torres, 42, was charged after a report of a disturbance in the area of South 8th and Locust streets.
- Drug Possession: On March 2, Tara Harnish, 39, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia after an incident on the 600 block of Quentin Road.
- Theft: On March 3, Daniel Napoletano, 49, was charged with felony theft by unlawful taking after removing machining equipment worth $22,847 from a business on the 200 block of East Weidman Street.
- Arrest Warrant: An arrest warrant was issued against Andy Santell, 49, on March 6, with the original charge being escape.
- Arrest Warrant Served: On March 5, an arrest warrant was issued against Clifford Aponte, 36, with the original charges being simple assault and theft by unlawful taking. Police arrested Aponte on the 100 block of Lebanon Village on March 6.
- Retail Theft: Police are investigating a retail theft from 1:30 p.m. March 7, on the 900 block of Church Street.
Lebanon County Regional
- Simple Assault, Harassment: Police responded to the 1900 block of Chestnut Street in North Cornwall Township on Jan. 30 for a domestic dispute. Jacobi Ortiz-Nangle, 32, was charged with simple assault and harassment.
- DUI: Around 8:17 p.m. Jan. 25 on Grace Avenue in Lebanon, police responded to a single-vehicle crash. Victor Llinas, 62, was charged with DUI.
North Londonderry Township
- Vehicle Accident: A 17-year-old Palmyra girl was charged with improper turning movements and a junior driver’s license violation after a crash on the 200 block of Oxford Road on Feb. 27.
South Lebanon Township
- Forgery, Identity Theft: Kelsey Goodman, 31, was charged with forgery, identity theft, and access device fraud after obtaining and using another person’s credit card number on Jan. 27.
- DUI: Devon Raynes, 33, was charged with DUI-incapable of safe driving, and two counts of summary driving at safe speed, and summary maximum speed limits after a traffic stop on East Evergreen Road on Feb. 25
Western Lebanon County Regional
- Defiant Trespass: Devin English, 33, was taken into custody for defiant trespass after refusing to leave a property on the 800 block of East Main Street in Palmyra on Feb. 24.
