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Time change for Biden’s visit to stump for Clinton on Friday in Luzerne County

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The Latest: Safety fears debated in Penn State civil trial

<p>LUZERNE &#8212; A man is facing charges after he allegedly assaulted a man and a juvenile, then took the shoes from the man&#8217;s feet.</p><p>Drew Wilkinson, 18, of Kingston, faces charges of robbery, theft by unlawful taking, simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment.</p><p>Officers were dispatched to a report of a fight in the area of Railroad Avenue and Union Street at 6:23 p.m. Tuesday, according to the criminal complaint.</p><p>The alleged victims, William Hernandez and a juvenile, told police they were assaulted by two other men. Hernandez reportedly was bleeding from his face and had no shoes on. The duo identified Wilkinson and Kyle Melodick, 21, as the pair who allegedly attacked them.</p><p>Officers were later advised that Wilkinson and Melodick were located in the Buckingham Street area. Wilkinson had an active warrant for his arrest; both he and Melodick were taken into custody.</p><p>Wilkinson allegedly refused to speak to officers at police headquarters. Melodick said he and Wilkinson were walking along the railroad tracks when they encountered Hernandez and the juvenile. Melodick alleged that Wilkinson punched Hernandez several times, knocked him to the ground, then kicked him in the face.</p><p>Melodick further alleged that Wilkinson then punched and kicked the juvenile, and punched Hernandez as he got off the ground.</p><p>Wilkinson allegedly pulled off Hernandez&#8217;s sneakers, and he and Melodick fled the area. Melodick told police he retrieved the sneakers after Wilkinson initially threw them in the area of Union Street.</p><p>Officers went to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center to speak with Hernandez, who was being treated for injuries.</p><p>The juvenile with Hernandez also told officers of the assault, and a witness told officers that he saw Wilkinson kicking Hernandez while he was lying on the ground.</p><p>Wilkinson was arraigned Wednesday before District Judge Joseph Halesey and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before District Judge David Barilla at 9:15 a.m. Nov. 10.</p><p>Melodick did not have an active criminal docket with charges related to the incident.</p><p>Wilkinson is jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $40,000 bail.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Travis Kellar</p><p>tkellar@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Travis Kellar at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @TLNews</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Man accused assaulting two, stealing shoes off man’s feet