Silence Over Thefts Irks W-b Neighbors Police Capt. Patrick Rushton Says He Is Investigating Why Only One Of Several Break-ins In The East End Was Reported To The Media.
By STEVEN A. MORELLI [email protected]
Saturday, October 27, 2001 Page: 11A
WILKES-BARRE – Police did not inform East End residents about a burglary
spree occurring in their neighborhood.
Instead, it was a malfunctioning transformer that helped get out the word.
A transformer exploded on a New Grant Street pole on a recent Saturday
night, bringing neighbors outside their homes where they exchanged the latest
news.
“My neighbor said his house was broken into,” said Elinor Achey. “I
said, `Well, people ought to know about this.’ ”
Achey chatted with other people, some of whom had heard about another
burglary. Pretty soon, they figured out several break-ins had occurred during
the past few weeks.
Neighbors – Achey and others who were afraid to be identified – said the
police should have told them about the crime spree, a lot sooner. The area is
home to older residents, some living alone, Achey said.
“A lot of neighbors are upset,” Achey said. “You’re half afraid to leave
the house.”
Several burglaries were reported to police this month, but police reported
only one in a press release.
Wilkes-Barre Police Capt. Patrick Rushton said he is investigating why the
burglaries were not reported to the public and is taking steps to ensure they
are reported in the future. He did not detail the steps.
Two men who have been arrested are suspected of the East End burglaries and
several in the Heights section, Rushton said.
Donald Thomas, 23, no address listed, was arrested Tuesday morning after
neighbors noticed a suspicious man in the area and called police, Rushton
said. Thomas was apprehended while hiding in 56 Chapel St., he said.
Jay Kotz of Shonk Street, Plymouth, was charged Monday with using a stolen
credit card at a Wyoming Valley Mall store, Rushton said. He is suspected of
working with Thomas, Rushton said.
Rushton said he meets with Crime Watch groups monthly to update residents.
“They can attend those if they really want to know what’s going on,”
Rushton said. “But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be doing news releases.”
Some neighbors said they would like to see police patrolling the area.
“This is one of the few good streets left in the East End,” Achey said.
But one neighbor said she sees police on occasion and she believes
protection is adequate. Mary Elaine Horan, of New Grant Street, also said
word-of-mouth keeps the neighborhood safe.
“Most of the neighbors talk back and forth,” Horan said. “We know what’s
going on.”
Steven A. Morelli, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7221.
