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<p>WYOMING &#8212; State police are searching for a Wilkes-Barre man who allegedly received a stolen firearm in an exchange involving heroin.</p><p>Pennsylvania State Police in Wyoming investigated the theft of a firearm from a residence on Old East End Boulevard in Bear Creek Township on Monday. Investigation revealed the stole firearm was later sold during a street transaction at Carey Avenue and Academy Street in Wilkes-Barre at 5:30 a.m. Monday, according to state police.</p><p>According to police, review of security footage on the property enabled officers to name Melanie Marie Kopeck, 28, and Jonathan Cole, 29, both of Wilkes-Barre, as suspects.</p><p>State police later located Kopeck and Cole, and they both allegedly admitted to stealing the firearm and then selling the firearm on the streets of Wilkes-Barre.</p><p>Police later learned that Robert Daniel Deleo, 23, allegedly received the firearm in trade for heroin.</p><p>The police report did not specify what kind of firearm was allegedly stolen.</p><p>A warrant was issued for Deleo&#8217;s arrest Tuesday from Magisterial District Judge Rick Cronauer for receiving stolen property and firearms not to be carried without a license.</p><p>Cronauer also issued a search warrant for a vehicle belonging to Deleo, according to police. Troopers and police from Wilkes-Barre attempted to locate Deleo at a residence on South Franklin Street in the city, but police said he was not there at the time.</p><p>Police said officers made contact with Deleo via phone, but allege he refused to turn himself in.</p><p>Police also said they believe that Deleo is armed. The news release did not provide any additional description for Deleo.</p><p>Kopeck and Cole were each arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Joseph Dotzel. Court documents indicate they each face charges of receiving stolen property, and Kopeck faces a charge of theft by unlawful taking. Cole faces additional charges of possession of a firearm prohibited and conspiracy to commit theft by unlawful taking.</p><p>Anyone with information on Deleo&#8217;s whereabouts is asked to contact Pennsylvania State Police in Wyoming at 570-697-2000.</p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_Deleo-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Mugshot of Deleo provided by Pennsylvania State Police.</div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_Deleo-2.jpg</photo0><caption0>Mugshot of Deleo provided by Pennsylvania State Police.</caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<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>

State police search for man who allegedly received stolen gun in drug trade