West Hazleton Police Department

04/23/2026

Two days away from the West Hazleton Police Officers Association first annual sportsman bingo event.

Please like and share their page.

We are only 2 days away from our 1st annual Sportsman Bingo! Tickets available at the door, save $10 by messaging us here for your tickets, or by contacting any member of the Police association or West Hazleton Fire Department.

Join us for a night out of Bingo fun.

Saturday April 25 doors open at 4pm. Bingo and raffles 5-9.

-15 rounds of bingo for some great 🔫 prizes

-1 round of bingo with a prize 🎯 at the ladies

-Side raffle with prizes including sportsman items and something for everyone 🤞

-Special bonus raffles with fun games to play 🎲

- 50/50 drawing 💵

Hot dog, chips, birchbeer or water are included with your event ticket 🎟️ purchase. Additional food will be offered for sale.

Come out and support your local 👮 and 🧑‍🚒 we hope to see to see you there!

03/13/2026

West Hazleton man facing drug delivery charges.

During the early morning hours on Friday, March 13, 2026, West Hazleton Borough Police executed a narcotics search warrant at a West Green Street residence. The drug raid was the culmination of a two month long investigation into the sales and trafficking of co***ne and other illicit narcotics in West Hazleton Borough and throughout the Hazleton area. During the investigation members of the Luzerne County Drug Task Force conducted controlled purchases of co***ne from the man.

As a result of the residence search, Police seized the following:

-A bulk amount of co***ne
-Co***ne pre-packaged for sale
-Paraphernalia used to weigh and package narcotics for sale
-United States Currency, including pre-recorded bills used during controlled purchases.

Alexander TAVAREZ-FERNANDEZ-(24) AKA "PANTHER" faces charges for Possession with the Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance. TAVEREZ-FERNANDEZ was arraigned by Magisterial District Court Judge BARLETTA ANTOLICK, and was committed to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility after being unable to post bail.

During this investigation, West Hazleton Borough Police were assisted by members of the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, Hazleton City Police Narcotics Division, Hazleton City Police Special Response Team, Hazleton City Police K-9 Division with canine KEIKO, and the Pennsylvania State Police K-9 unit with canine MOLLY.

01/29/2026

Conyngham Borough man facing drug distribution charges

On Friday, January 23, 2026, West Hazleton Borough Police, in conjunction with the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, served a search warrant at a Lawson Street residence in Conyngham Borough. The search warrant was the result of a month-long investigation into the sales and trafficking of narcotics throughout the Greater Hazleton Area. During the investigation, Task Force Officers conducted multiple controlled purchases of narcotics.



Jose VASQUEZ (45), Conyngham, was taken into custody pursuant to an arrest warrant moments prior to a Police raid of his residence. VASQUEZ was found to be in possession of suspected co***ne at the time of his arrest. He faces charges for Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Deliver along with charges for Delivery and Sales of a Controlled Substance.



Inside the residence, Police located and seized suspected co***ne, United States currency, and materials used to package narcotics for sales and distribution. Officers also encountered a small dog with apparent injuries, that may have been suffering from abuse and neglect. At the time of this release, Conyngham Borough Police are heading an investigation related to the condition of the canine.



West Hazleton Borough Police were assisted by the following agencies during this investigation;

Conyngham Borough Police

Sugarloaf Township Police

Hazleton City Police Narcotics Division

Hazleton City Police Special Response Team

United States Drug Enforcement Administration



Crime knows no jurisdictional boundaries and this investigation serves as another example of the importance and value found within strong law enforcement partnerships.

01/15/2026

On December 31, 2025, at approximately 11:30 pm, West Hazleton Police were summoned to North street for the report of an assault and break-in.

Upon their arrival, officers discovered a female had forced her way into a residence where she attacked a man, threatened several individuals and destroyed physical property. The female had fled the area prior to Police being notified.

On Wednesday, January 15, 2026, Leidy CELADO-MEJIA (32) Lattimer, appeared at the Police Department inquiring why Police were attempting to locate her. She was taken into custody and faces the following charges:

Burglary
Criminal Trespass
Harassment

CELADO-MEJIA was arraigned and committed to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility after she was unable to produce bail.

01/01/2026

On January 1st 2026, at approximately 02:20 am, officers on patrol encountered a group of (5) individuals acting in a disorderly manner on West Green Street. During the incident, a female member of the group was shouting loudly and ignored multiple orders to cease her disorderly behavior. The female attempted to flee from Police and was taken into custody a short distance away.

After being taken into custody, the female continued acting in a disorderly manner, and spit on an officer. She later removed and destroyed a protective mask used to prevent individuals from spitting on others. Destiny AVILES (30), Hazleton, faces the following charges.

Assault of a Law Enforcement Officer
Disorderly Conduct
Public Drunkenness
Criminal Mischief

Aviles was transported to the Luzerne County Correctional facility where she awaits arraignment on the charges. West Hazleton Borough Police were assisted by the Pennsylvania State Police during this incident.

12/14/2025

On Friday December 5, 2025 the West Hazleton Police Department in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Narcotics Investigations and with the assisitance of the Luzerne County Drug Task Force and the Hazleton Police Department, executed a narcotics search warrant on a residence occupied by Luis RIVERA COLON

This was the result of a months long investigation into the distribution of co***ne within the West Hazleton and Hazleton areas. As a result of the search warrant investigators seized over 300 grams of purpored co***ne, over $24,000 in U.S. currency and other paraphernalia used in the illigal trafficking of narcotics.

Luis RIVERA COLON was charged with one count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was arraigned by MDJ DIXON and lodged in Luzerne County Correctional Facility unable to post $50,000 straight cash bail.

08/29/2025

Philadelphia man apprehended for theft and hit/run offenses.



On Saturday August 23, 2025, West Hazleton Police were summoned to Weis lane for a traffic crash. During an investigation Police discovered a male stole beer, seafood and an air fryer from Weis markets then struck an occupied vehicle as he fled from the area.

On Sunday August 24, 2025, West Hazleton Borough Police found the male as he was committing additional retail thefts.
Wady PERALTA-MARTINEZ (36), Philadelphia, was taken into custody and charged with Retail Theft and Accidents Involving an Attended Vehicle. He was lodged at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility following an arraignment. PERALTA-MARTINEZ faces additional charges pending the completion of an active investigation.

08/14/2025

West Hazleton man facing charges after shooting bystander.

On Wednesday, August 13, 2025, West Hazleton Police were summoned to the area of Warren Street for an individual with a gunshot wound. Upon their arrival, officers found (2) males were involved in an altercation and an exchange of gunfire ensued. As a result of the males shooting at each other, an individual unrelated to the incident was struck by a projectile from the gunfire. The bystander had no association with the altercation and they were merely sitting on their front porch when the gunfire broke out.

An investigation revealed Guillermo Ventura, (21) West Hazleton, fired the shot that struck a bystander, additional shots he fired crossed roadways and struck occupied buildings. VENTURA was taken into custody a short distance away and has been charged with the following:

Aggravated assault
Discharge of a firearm into an occupied structure
Recklessly endangering another person
Propulsion of missiles onto roadways.

West Hazleton Police are seeking the identity of a second male who fired shots during this altercation, along with the identities of multiple males who were involved in the incident. Police are urging the public to contact them at (570) 455-3733 or via messenger if you witnessed the incident or have any information related to it.

West Hazleton Police were assisted by officers from the Hazleton City Police Department, Sugarloaf Township Police Department and Butler Township Police Department during this incident.

07/31/2025

Traffic stop recovers stolen vehicles.

On Thursday, July 31, 2025, officers on patrol observed a car hauler being operated with equipment violations. During the course of a traffic stop, Police discovered the car hauler operator was transporting (2) stolen Lexus sport utility vehicles. The vehicles were reported stolen by the New York City Police Department.

Jhonathan SANTOS-RODRIGUEZ (20), Passaic New Jersey, was taken into custody and faces theft related charges. SANTOS-RODRIGUEZ was lodged at the Luzerne County Correctional facility where he awaits a formal arraignment on the charges.

West Hazleton Police were assisted by officers from the Hazleton City Police Department during this incident.

07/08/2025

Multiple arrests following disturbance.

On Monday, July 7, 2025, at approximately 11:25 pm, the West Hazleton Police Department received multiple calls reporting loud music in the area of Washington Avenue. Upon their arrival, officers encountered a group playing music at an unreasonable volume and loudly shouting. The loud music and shouting was causing a neighborhood disturbance and annoyance. During the course of this incident, members of the group ignored orders to cease their disorderly behavior.

After a male was taken into custody, numerous individuals poured into the street from a nearby backyard. The individuals were shouting and acting in a belligerent and disorderly manner. Three individuals were taken into custody and charged with Disorderly Conduct and Persistent Disorderly Conduct. A fourth individual was taken into custody and faces charges of Evading Arrest or Detention on foot, Persistent Disorderly Conduct and Harassment.
Police expect additional arrests at the conclusion of an investigation.

The following individuals were charged with Disorderly Conduct and Persistent Disorderly Conduct.

Arlington SANTOS-BONIFACIO (31) West Hazleton
Merely FRANCISCO-LANTIGUA (28) West Hazleton
Morelia FRANCISCO-LANTIGUA (30) West Hazleton

The West Hazleton Police Department was assisted by officers from the Hazleton City Police Department during this incident.