web1_Casey_Bob_2013_toned.jpg

Sen. Casey calls on U.S. AG to take ‘proactive steps’ over KKK in W-B

web1_footloose.jpg

Would you have been arrested in Beaumont? See ‘Footloose’ at the Music Box Playhouse in Swoyersville and decide for yourself

<p>HAZLETON &#8212; Police have made an arrest following an all-day search of a West 10th Street home that prompted the closing of Hazleton Area Elementary/Middle School earlier today.</p><p>State police in Hazleton said they arrested Eleazar Yisrael, 29, of 33 W. 10th St., on an offensive weapons charge and a charge of possession or use of drug paraphernalia following the search of his home.</p><p>During the course of the service of the search warrant, a large fixed-blade knife constructed with an integrated &#8220;metal knuckles&#8221; handle was discovered inside the residence along with a metallic grinder containing residual green leafy matter (suspected marijuana), state police said in a news release.</p><p>According to online court records, Yisrael was arraigned at 8:50 this evening before District Judge James Dixon in Hazle Township and was to be jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $100,000 bail.</p><p>Classes were canceled today at the Hazleton Area Elementary/Middle School, known locally as The Castle on the Hill because of its fortress-like structure, as state police and Butler Township police searched Yisrael&#8217;s residence across the street.</p><p>Authorities spent most of the day at the residence, with troopers from the Forensic Services Unit entering and exiting with items. Another trooper was observed walking around the residence with a video camera.</p><p>Luzerne County property records list Tabi Yisrael as owner of the residence.</p><p>Authorities at the scene would not say why the residence was being searched but referred questions to Butler Township police.</p><p>Earlier this evening, state police in a news release confirmed reports that the search in Hazleton was connected to Samuel Vacante, 52, of 20 Coventry Road in the Drums section of Butler Township, who was reported missing Monday.</p><p>Township police had said Vacante was last seen at about 8:30 p.m. Monday and may have been driving a 2013 white Kia with Pennsylvania license plate JMR-9595.</p><p>According to the state police news release, Butler Township police recovered the Kia in Hazleton on Wednesday.</p><p>&#8220;Since that time, search warrants have been executed by Pennsylvania State Police Forensics Unit at the Coventry Road residence as well as 33 W. 10th Street in Hazleton,&#8221; the news release states, adding that the Luzerne County District Attorney&#8217;s Office is also involved in the continuing investigation.</p><p>Hazleton police said they assisted with traffic control.</p><p>West 10th Street and Manhattan Court, which passes the school, were closed to traffic.</p><p>Two residents on Ninth Street said they noticed several state police cruisers near the West 10th Street residence at about 1 a.m. when their dog began barking.</p><p>Hazleton Area Superintendent Craig Butler posted a message on the school district&#8217;s website this morning alerting parents that the elementary/middle school was closed &#8220;due to local and state police activity in close proximity to the school.&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;The reason for the closure was strictly precautionary in the best interest of the safety and security of the students, faculty and staff. School officials were in close communication with the local police department throughout the night and into the morning,&#8221; Butler stated.</p><p>Police cruisers were parked alongside the school, which is expected to reopen Friday.</p><p>Authorities canvassed the neighborhood and were seen walking on Manhattan Court to an undisclosed location, only to re-emerge minutes later.</p><p>Assistant District Attorney Dan Zola and county Lt. Det. Gary Capitano were also at the scene.</p><p>Three magisterial district judges in the greater Hazleton area reported they did not issue any search warrants for the residence, including District Judge James Dixon in Hazle Township. Dixon was on-duty district judge when other district judge offices were closed during non-business hours on Thursday.</p><p>Butler Township police announced Tuesday that they are searching for Vacante. Police did not say if they suspect foul play is involved with Vacante being reported missing.</p><p>Anyone with information about Vacante&#8217;s whereabouts should call state police at 570-459-3890 or call 911.</p><p><em>Times Leader reporters James O&#8217;Malley and Steve Mocarsky contributed to this report.</em></p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_hazleton2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">A Hazleton police vehicle is seen Thursday parked outside a residence state police had been searching for about 12 hours. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_hazleton2.jpg</photo0><caption0>A Hazleton police vehicle is seen Thursday parked outside a residence state police had been searching for about 12 hours. </caption0><photoCredit0>Ed Lewis | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_Hazleton-10th-street-9-3-151.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Law enforcement authorities searched a residence on W. 10th Street, Hazleton, which closed the Hazleton Area Elementary/Middle School on Thursday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_Hazleton-10th-street-9-3-151.jpg</photo1><caption1>Law enforcement authorities searched a residence on W. 10th Street, Hazleton, which closed the Hazleton Area Elementary/Middle School on Thursday. </caption1><photoCredit1>Ed Lewis | Times Leader </photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_Samuel-Vacante-missing-Butler-Twp.-9-3-151.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Vacante </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_Samuel-Vacante-missing-Butler-Twp.-9-3-151.jpg</photo2><caption2>Vacante </caption2><photoCredit2>Ed Lewis | Times Leader </photoCredit2></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Ed Lewis</p><p>elewis@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Ed Lewis at 570-991-6116 or on Twitter @TLEdLewis.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

UPDATE: Arrest made after search of home that forced school to close in Hazleton