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Plains man arraigned on charges he abandoned infant in toy store

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<p>HAZLETON &#8212; City police arrested a man after allegedly finding marijuana, prescription drugs, a firearm and ammunition and packaging materials inside a wrecked vehicle early Thursday morning.</p><p>A police detective and a patrol officer returning to Hazleton after transporting a prisoner to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility spotted a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica cross over the double yellow line on North Church Street just before 2:30 a.m.</p><p>The Chrysler crossed oncoming lanes and struck a utility pole at Church and West Maple streets, Police Chief Jerry Speziale said.</p><p>Police checked on the driver, identified as Jonathan Torres, 23, of West Magnolia Street, Hazleton.</p><p>Torres was operating the vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance, Speziale said.</p><p>Court records allege Torres kept reaching toward the center console and passenger seat area and refused to keep his hands on the steering wheel.</p><p>Torres claimed he lost control of the vehicle while reaching for food.</p><p>Police alleged Torres had slurred speech and responses were delayed when answering questions.</p><p>An officer spotted a bag containing suspected marijuana by Torres&#8217; feet, court records allege.</p><p>Police searched the vehicle allegedly finding more than 47 grams of marijuana in separate bags, a Taurus 9mm handgun with 12 rounds of ammunition, several prescription pills, more than $2,000 cash, three cell phones and numerous bags for packaging.</p><p>Torres was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital Hazleton where he refused medical treatment.</p><p>Speziale stated Torres submitted to a blood test.</p><p>Torres was arraigned by District Judge Joseph Carmody in Luzerne County Central Court on two counts each of driving under the influence and possession of a controlled substance, and one count each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, firearms not to be carried without a license and driving with a suspended license. He was jailed at the county correctional facility for lack of $50,000 bail. </p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_Johnathan-Torres-crash-06072018-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption"></div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_Johnathan-Torres-crash-06072018-1.jpg</photo0><caption0></caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_Johnathan-Torres-drugs-06072018-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption"></div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_Johnathan-Torres-drugs-06072018-1.jpg</photo1><caption1></caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_Johnathan-Torres-06072018-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Torres </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_Johnathan-Torres-06072018-1.jpg</photo2><caption2>Torres </caption2><photoCredit2></photoCredit2></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Ed Lewis</p><p>elewis@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div>

Police find drugs, firearm in wrecked vehicle