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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    BUTLER TOWNSHIP POLICE AND LUZERNE COUNTY DRUG TASK FORCE SEIZE CASH, HEROIN AND HANDGUN DURING UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATION

 

 Butler Township Police and the Hazleton City Police Narcotics Unit, in conjunction with the Attorney General’s Luzerne County Drug Task Force, seized more than 500 packets of heroin during an undercover operation in Hazleton on October 2, 2014.

Butler Township Police initiated an investigation in which officers negotiated for the delivery of 500 packets or 10 “bricks” of heroin from Jonathan Gregory Vega, aka “J”, age 23 of S. Laurel Street in Hazleton in exchange for $1300. A meeting place was set up near the intersection of E. Chestnut Street and S. Bennett Court. Around 1:45 pm, officers observed Vega walking to the meeting point. Vega saw undercover officers approaching and fled into a nearby store.

Vega pulled a stolen Beretta handgun from his waistband, as well as the 10 bricks of heroin and attempted to hide it inside a drink cooler. Vega was immediately taken into custody inside the store. The event was captured on the store video surveillance system.

In addition to seizing the stolen handgun and 500 packets of heroin, officers also seized 10 additional packets of heroin, cocaine, synthetic marijuana and more than $1200 dollars after searching Vega.

Vega was charged with delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver, firearms not to be carried without a license and receiving stolen property – all of which are felony counts. He was also charged with a misdemeanor count of possessing a controlled substance, a misdemeanor.

Vega was arraigned before District Judge Martin Kane who set his bail at $50,000. Vega is currently incarcerated at the Luzerne County Prison in lieu of bail.

The investigation is continuing and additional arrests are expected. The street value of the heroin seized was $5,000.20141002 seizure

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(MEDIA: Photo electronically attached of seizure)

    Released- 10/09/2014 5:10 am

Released by: Cpl. William J. Feissner            

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BUTLER TOWNSHIP POLICE INVESTIGATING BANK ROBBERY

 

Butler Township Police are investigating a Monday afternoon bank robbery. The robbery happened just before 12 pm at the First National Bank in Rittenhouse Place.

The suspect is believed to be a black male, 30-40 years of age, 5’9” to 6’0” feet tall, medium build and 180 – 200 pounds. The suspect was wearing a baseball cap, blue hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and black and neon gloves.

The suspect entered the bank and handed a note to the teller demanding money and that he had a gun. The suspect grabbed the money and fled from the bank on foot and went north along S. Hunter Highway (SR0309). The suspect may have been picked up by a black SUV.

No one at the bank was injured. The suspect did not display a weapon during the incident.

Butler Township Police are requesting that anyone who observed the suspect or saw a black SUV just north of Rittenhouse Place is asked to contact township police at (570) 788-4111 or Luzerne County 911. (20141006M0014/bjs)

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(MEDIA: There are 3 electronically attached photos)

 Released- 10/07/2014 3:20 am

Released by: Cpl. William J. Feissner             

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

BUTLER TOWNSHIP POLICE CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE BANK ROBBERY –

UPDATE 1 - SUSPECT VEHICLE RECOVERED

 

Butler Township Police continue to investigate a Tuesday afternoon bank robbery. The robbery happened around 4 pm at the National Penn Bank on S. Hunter Highway in Drums. A masked suspect entered the bank, vaulted the teller counter and stole an undisclosed amount of money

The suspect’s get-away vehicle was located by Butler Township Police around 1 am Wednesday morning. A Butler Township Police officer on patrol found the vehicle abandoned on Prospect   Road, approximately ¼ mile from E. Butler Drive.

The vehicle was stolen from the Scranton area Tuesday afternoon.

Police ask anyone who saw activity around the PPL pole line anytime during the afternoon hours to contact them at (570) 788-4111 or Luzerne County 911.

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     Released- 10/02/2014 5:22 am

Released by: Cpl. William J. Feissner          

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                BUTLER TOWNSHIP POLICE INVESTIGATING BANK ROBBERY

 

Butler Township Police are investigating a Tuesday afternoon bank robbery. The robbery happened around 4 pm at the National Penn Bank on S. Hunter Highway in Drums. A masked suspect entered the bank, vaulted the teller counter and stole an undisclosed amount of money

The suspect is believed to be a white male, 6’1” to 6’3” feet tall, slim build, 175 – 190 pounds, wearing black jogging pants, a black Under Armour zip up hoodie with red trim, black sneakers with white soles and laces.

The suspect exited the bank and fled in a beige metallic 2007 Honda Civic which was last seen traveling east on E. Butler Drive toward Freeland.

There were 6 people inside the bank at the time of the robbery, none of which were injured. The suspect did not display a weapon during the incident.

Butler Township Police are requesting that anyone who observed the suspect or vehicle prior to or following the robbery to contact township police at (570) 788-4111 or Luzerne County 911. (20140930M0011/bb/wjf)

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(MEDIA: There are 3 electronically attached photos)

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Released- 10/01/2014 3:40 am (rev 1)

Released by: Cpl. William J. Feissner