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First-year doctor of medicine students receive white coats

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Plymouth Rotary chicken barbeque is Sept. 16

<p>HAZLETON &#8212; A police cruiser operated by the city&#8217;s police chief was struck during a pursuit early Monday morning.</p><p>Police Chief Jerry Speziale in a news release stated officers responded to a report of gunfire in the area of Peace and 11th streets at about 11:55 p.m. Sunday. When no evidence of a shooting was found, Speziale allegedly spotted a drug transaction involving a Ford Edge in the area of Arthur and Diamond avenues at about 12:40 a.m.</p><p>There appeared to be bullet holes in the Ford, the news release says.</p><p>Speziale stated the driver of the Ford sped away initiating a pursuit for several blocks.</p><p>During the pursuit, the rear passenger discarded a 9mm semi-automatic handgun that was later recovered in the area of North Lee Court and 12th Street. The handgun had an altered serial number, the news release says.</p><p>State police troopers and police from Butler Township and West Hazleton assisted during the pursuit.</p><p>The driver of the Ford, identified as Erickson Antonio Diaz, 18, and a passenger, Angel Perez, 19, abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. The Ford remained in gear and rolled into a cruiser operated by Speziale, who blocked the intersection at North Manhattan Court and 12th Street.</p><p>A 17-year-old male juvenile passenger was arrested at the scene by Speziale.</p><p>Diaz was captured on West 11th Street and Perez was caught between 10th and 11th streets, the news release says.</p><p>Speziale stated a fully loaded 30 round magazine and marijuana were allegedly found in the Ford.</p><p>Diaz is charged with fleeing and eluding law enforcement and numerous traffic offenses and Perez is facing numerous firearm offenses, Speziale stated.</p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/web1_Angel-Perez-08132018.jpeg">
<div class="neCaption">Perez</div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/web1_Angel-Perez-08132018.jpeg</photo0><caption0>Perez</caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/web1_Erickson-Diaz-08132018.jpeg">
<div class="neCaption">Diaz</div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/web1_Erickson-Diaz-08132018.jpeg</photo1><caption1>Diaz</caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/web1_Erickson-Diaz-gun-08132018.jpeg">
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Ed Lewis</p><p>elewis@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div>

Two men, juvenile arrested after pursuit in Hazleton