Latest news with #ScrantonPoliceDepartment
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Miami Herald
Lowe's employee reported coworker to HR before deadly PA shooting, sister says
A Lowe's employee was shot three times, including twice in the head, during the culmination of an ongoing feud with a coworker, Pennsylvania authorities say. Christopher Wasnetsky, 36, has now been charged with murder following the June 14 fatal shooting at a Lowe's store, according to the Scranton Police Department. He reportedly said the victim in the shooting, Jeffrey Moeller, was harassing him for months before he was accused of shooting him. Moeller's sister, however, refutes his claim. Christina Moeller said her brother had reported Wasnetsky to the Lowe's human resources office multiple times 'due to ongoing concerns.' 'To our knowledge, the individual had been making troubling comments directed at Jeffrey,' she said in a GoFundMe. 'Despite Jeffrey's repeated reports, nothing was done.' Wasnetsky is accused of shooting Moeller in an unprovoked attack as the victim operated machinery, according to a criminal complaint obtained by The Times-Tribune. Police said Moeller asked for help when he fell to the ground, so Wasnetsky shot him two more times 'so he wouldn't suffer,' WVIA reported. Moeller was shot once in his back and twice in the head, according to a coroner's report obtained by WNEP. 'There was no altercation. No argument. Jeffrey was simply doing his job — the job he loved — and his life was stolen from him,' the victim's sister said in the GoFundMe. Wasnetsky turned himself in after he called 911 to report the shooting, according to WNEP. 'I'd like to report a shooting at Dickson City Lowe's,' he said during his 911 call, the news outlet reported. 'I was the person that did it.' Police said Moeller, who was found 'in a large pool of blood,' was pronounced dead in a hospital, according to WOLF. Wasnetsky told officers he had filed complaints of harassment against Moeller, but those claims were unfounded, according to the news outlet. Originally charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault, Wasnetsky now faces upgraded charges of first- and third-degree murder, police said. He was jailed in Lackawanna County without bail. Moeller was a father to three daughters, according to his sister, who called him a 'devoted' dad. 'Once they were all in school, he took on night shifts at Lowe's so he could still be present with his girls during the day,' his sister said on GoFundMe. 'That's just the kind of man he was — loyal, dedicated, and full of love for his family.' Scranton is about a 125-mile drive northwest from Philadelphia.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Two plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter in Scranton barber's death
Two men accused of road rage that led to the March 2024 death of a barber from West Scranton pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter Tuesday. Prosecutors say John Darko, 1330 Fords Pond Road, Glenburn Twp., and Paul Viscomi, 39 Van Sickle St., Scott Twp., were involved in a road-rage incident on Keyser Avenue that resulted in the death of Brian Nardella. Fatal road rage incident The men were charged in May 2024 after an investigation that began when officers responded to a head-on crash the morning of March 27, 2024, along North Keyser Avenue near Stanton Street, according to the criminal complaint. First responders found Nardella unresponsive and trapped in his SUV, which was on its roof in a parking lot at the bottom of an embankment on the northbound side of Keyser Avenue, police said. * John Darko (Submitted) * Paul Viscomi (Submitted) Show Caption 1 of 2 John Darko (Submitted) Expand Darko was lying in the grass on the northbound side of Keyser Avenue with an apparent broken left leg and right arm after he was ejected from his 2006 Chevy Silverado during the crash, according to police. Darko was conscious and alert. Crews extricated Nardella and transported him to Geisinger Community Medical Center, where he died, according to the complaint. Investigators with the Scranton Police Department and state police determined Darko and Viscomi had been jockeying for position at the time of the crash, charges read. Darko first tried to pass Viscomi and Viscomi sped up to block him. Darko hit a curb and then Viscomi's truck. The impact caused Darko to lose control of his truck, spin out, cross the double yellow line into oncoming traffic and strike Nardella's vehicle, court paperwork says. The impact pushed Nardella's Honda Passport backward and over a small embankment, causing it to roll over onto its roof, according to police. Darko's truck spun violently after the impact, ejecting Darko through the passenger window. State police reconstructed the crash, determining Darko was driving at least 61 mph before the collision, and Viscomi accelerated from 20 mph to at least 53 mph to stop Darko from merging. Nardella attempted to maneuver out of the way, and his airbag module showed he was driving at 30 mph when the crash happened, according to the charging documents. The speed limit is 35 mph where the crash occurred, police said. Darko and Viscomi are scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 9.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Yahoo
Police ask for help to ID child found in Scranton
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The Scranton Police Department say they need help identifying a child found Friday night. Police say the non-verbal child was found in the area of Sheetz at the 500 block of Mount Pleasant and is believed to be five years old. 24-hour fundraising marathon NEPA Gives wraps up with over $1M raised Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Scranton Police Patrol Officer Dippre via email at ldippre@ or by calling the Scranton Police Department Desk at (570)348-4134. Residents can also submit an anonymous tip online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Police department honors their fallen officers in the field
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— May 15 marks National Peace Officers Memorial Day, a day to honor law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their communities. In Scranton, police held a solemn ceremony to remember their own, and to recognize those who've survived tragic encounters. 28/22 News reporter Kathryn O'Leary was there for the emotional tribute. Jonathan Balester's 14-year-old murder case still unsolved The Scranton Police Department honored the 13 officers they've lost in the line of duty since 1889. The most recent, Patrolman John Wilding in 2015. 'I visited national law enforcement memorial, I spent a couple moments on a piece of granite next to it, the john wildings name inscribed on it. It doesn't feel like it's been 10 years since John Wilding passed, seems like yesterday,' expressed Chief Thomas Carroll, Scranton Police Department. National Peace Officers Memorial Day, established by President Kennedy in 1962, honors those who've died or been disabled in the line of duty. Across the country, flags flew at half-staff. 'We all share the same sacrifices, no matter the size of the agency,' stated Chief Thomas Carroll. Chief Carroll reflected on his recent trip to Washington D.C where three SPD detectives, including Kyle Gilmartin, who survived being shot in the head early last year, were honored with national awards. ''They are winners of the honorable mention awards. They were recognized for their courage and their sacrifice, last January, 2024,' said Chief Carroll. In 2024 alone, 147 officers were killed in the line of duty across the country, the average age being 42. Most left behind spouses, children, families, and partners in the fight. 'We have the duty to continue our mission regardless of the threat, regardless of the pain, regardless of the challenges of the 21st century, what I will say to you, SPD, specific, stay the course. You are making a difference. Let's remember our fallen,' voiced Chief Carroll. The memorial for the fallen Scranton police officers can be found at their headquarters on South Washington Avenue. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man faces charges for alleged sexual contact with child at church
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Police say a man previously charged for his involvement with a child rape investigation in Scranton now faces charges for alleged sexual contact with another victim. According to the Scranton Police Department, 22-year-old Tara Glan is facing the following charges after an investigation from a cybertip discovered child sex abuse uploaded to Snapchat: Involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child Unlawful contact with a minor – sexual offenses Corruption of minors Indecent assault person less than 13 years of age Ignited explosive device found inside church rectory In April, a search warrant was executed at Glan's residence, and police say he admitted that he engaged in sexual contact with the victim on several occasions. Detectives stated Glan had contact with the victim through the Ray of Hope Chruch, where Glan was the church's van driver and previously ran a youth group, of which the victim was a member. Police were told that the abuse started when the victim was 7 years old, which included sexual acts and Glan physically abusing them when the victim 'did something wrong,' officers reported. Police say the victim stated that all incidents happened at the church in the children's classroom. Glan was first charged with filming a sex act and child pornography when he allegedly filmed 16-year-old Amir Bomjan raping a different minor once in the church and once at Glan's residence, according court documents. Bomjan faces the charges of rape of a child, indecent assault, and photographing videotaping, depicting sexaul acts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
