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Guilty plea date set for former Hazle Township solicitor charged with theft

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<p>SWOYERSVILLE &#8212; An arrest Monday reflects the commitment of the borough&#8217;s police force and cooperation of residents, according to police Chief David Latoski.</p><p>Latoski said Nicholas David Bednar, 26, of Hughes Street, was arrested after he allegedly broke into a residence on Sycamore Drive, stealing money and checks.</p><p>Bednar said he was stealing to finance a drug habit, according to the report.</p><p>He was charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking, forgery, possession of a controlled substance and of drug paraphernalia.</p><p>According to Latoski, Bednar, an acquaintance of the occupants of the residence, broke into the home twice, knowing the property owners were not at home.</p><p>Latoski said after several media reports on crime in the borough, many resident believed crime had markedly increased.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s not true that there is a crime spree,&#8221; police Sergeant Kyle Castner said. &#8220;This happens every year.&#8221;</p><p>Both Castner and Latoski emphasized the importance of residents&#8217; participation in keeping streets safe.</p><p>&#8220;If people are out in the backyard, they should keep their front doors locked,&#8221; said Castner. &#8220;Residents need to continue to lock their car doors.&#8221;</p><p>Latoski said, &#8220;Our force is working tirelessly on this; I want people to know that.&#8221;</p><p>Mayor Chris Concert said recent Facebook bashing of the borough&#8217;s police force is undeserved.</p><p>&#8220;I want to make sure people know that I think the police are doing a good job,&#8221; he said.</p><p>Concert has taken reports of suspicious activity seriously, even walking the streets himself on a recent night, but emphasized the importance of contacting police immediately for any out of the ordinary activity.</p><p>&#8220;Maybe it&#8217;s nothing,&#8221; he said. &#8220;But, it&#8217;s better to be sure.&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;We&#8217;re like towns all over the state,&#8221; said Castner. &#8220;This isn&#8217;t the &#8217;60s, &#8217;70s or even &#8217;80s anymore.&#8221;</p><p>Bednar remains at Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $50,000 straight bail, set by District Judge Joseph Spagnuolo Jr.</p><p>His preliminary hearing is set for June 30 before District Judge David Barilla.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>ggibbons@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Police: Swoyersville resident arrested after break-in to fund drug habit