Local News - Saturday Jan. 20

Equipment missing at Peifer Fire Protection, arrest made

A Pottsville man is charged with stealing equipment from his employer. On January 5th, the owner of Peifer's Fire Equipment reported that a substantial amount of inventory was missing from their business at 800 Mount Hope Avenue. An investigation uncovered that 55-year-old Gary Witmier, the manager of the business, had stolen over $2-thousand-dollars worth of equipment, and resold it for cash. Witmier is charged with theft and misapplication of entrusted property. Those charges were file earlier this week.

Public drunkenness in Frackville

A Mahanoy City man stopped at the wrong place at the wrong time Wednesday night. Frackville State Police now say that 26-year-Christopher Whitaker had apparently been drinking. Around 8:40pm, he entered the State Police barracks lobby in an intoxicated state. Whitaker was cited for public drunkenness.

Man accused of DUI homicide, case to go to court

A Tremont Township man who is accused of vehicular homicide will have his case heard in county court. Neil Hatfield was behind the wheel during a crash in August, 2006. That crash claimed the life of 22-year-old Shannon Sullivan of Pine Grove, Hatfield’s girlfriend. Court records say that Hatfield was twice over the legal limit when the crash happened in Hegins Township. Prior to the hearing at District Court in Tremont, lawyers for both sides agreed that all charges, including homicide by vehicle and homicide by vehicle while under the influence, would be sent to Schuylkill County Court. Hatfield was arrested in December. He has been free on bail. The case will be heard later this year.