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<p>HAZLETON &#8212; Officers are launching an aggressive campaign to clean up a well-known trouble spot in the city, and the police chief says his force will not stop until Alter Street and the surrounding area is free of trouble.</p><p>The crackdown began Friday with multiple drug arrests, including the apprehension of a wanted fugitive from the Philadelphia area and another suspect who allegedly had heroin hidden in the lining of his sneakers.</p><p>Chief Jerry Speziale said the stepped-up enforcement follows numerous complaints about activity in the area, where large groups of people often congregate along the street.</p><p>In fact, over the Fourth of July holiday, an unruly crowd on Alter Street confronted officers and threw fireworks under a cruiser, resulting in several arrests.</p><p>The area has also been known for people racing dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles in the street among vehicle traffic.</p><p>Speziale says the crackdown will focus on illegal drug sales and quality-of-life issues.</p><p>A press release from the chief describes Friday&#8217;s chain of events:</p><p>At about 3:30 p.m., police observed a drug transaction between two individuals in the area of Third and Alter streets.</p><p>The suspects were identified as Brian Schwab, 40, and Devin Fleming, 24, of Hazleton. A records check indicated Fleming was a fugitive from Montgomery County for a robbery parole violation.</p><p>Fleming was found to be in possession of more than an ounce of crystal methamphetamine, 25 capsules containing a small amount of crystal meth packaged for sale, and $3,354 in cash that will be seized by the Drug Enforcement Administration.</p><p>While in handcuffs, Fleming attempted to pull away from officers and flee on foot, but he was quickly subdued.</p><p>Schwab, meanwhile, had five small pink capsules containing a small amount of crystal meth. He was issued a citation and released.</p><p>Fleming was arraigned Saturday by Wilkes-Barre Township District Judge Michael G. Dotzel and charged with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest.</p><p>He was sent to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $2,000 cash bail.</p><p><strong>More incidents</strong></p><p>About an hour later at 4:40 p.m., police observed another drug transaction between a Hispanic male and a white male.</p><p>Officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Third and Vine streets, identifying the driver as Ceaser Delgado, 42.</p><p>Delgado had a small amount of crystal meth in his possession. He was arrested and taken to police headquarters for processing for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.</p><p>Meanwhile, based on the drug transactions and congregating in the area of Third and Alter that police observed, officers made contact with several individuals and informed them that blocking public passages would result in a loitering charge.</p><p>During that investigation, Kenny Best, 32, and a 17-year old male juvenile were found to be in possession of a small amount of marijuana. Both were taken into custody, and the teen was later released to the custody of a parent.</p><p>Upon further searching, police found Best had several bundles of heroin concealed in the interior lining of his sneakers. Police cut out the heroin from his sneakers and logged it as evidence.</p><p>Best is facing multiple drug charges.</p><p>The operation continued with a traffic stop just after 6 p.m. where the driver was found to be in possession of a small amount of synthetic marijuana, also known as spice. That man was not identified by police.</p><p>Speziale says his department will continue to utilize every resource available to clean up the Alter Street area as well as target buyers, sellers and anyone involved in quality-of-life or nuisance crimes.</p><p>&#8220;The message should be loud and clear,&#8221; Speziale said. &#8220;Drug dealers, buyers, loiterers and people causing a public nuisance will be dealt with swiftly and decisively.&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;These operations will not stop and continue until Alter Street is clean and free of undesirable activity.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_image1-3-1-1.jpeg">
<div class="neCaption">Fleming </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_image1-3-1-1.jpeg</photo0><caption0>Fleming </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_image3-2-1-1.jpeg">
<div class="neCaption">Hazleton Police said they stopped a vehicle at Third and Vine streets on Friday and arrested a man who had crystal methamphetamine. The vehicle stop was part of a crackdown targeting the Alter Street area. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_image3-2-1-1.jpeg</photo1><caption1>Hazleton Police said they stopped a vehicle at Third and Vine streets on Friday and arrested a man who had crystal methamphetamine. The vehicle stop was part of a crackdown targeting the Alter Street area. </caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_image2-3-1-1.jpeg">
<div class="neCaption">Hazleton Police seized cash, drugs, and five small pink capsules containing a small amount of crystal meth during a Friday crackdown targeting the blocks of Alter Street near Diamond Avenue. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_image2-3-1-1.jpeg</photo2><caption2>Hazleton Police seized cash, drugs, and five small pink capsules containing a small amount of crystal meth during a Friday crackdown targeting the blocks of Alter Street near Diamond Avenue. </caption2><photoCredit2></photoCredit2></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Dan Stokes</p><p>dstokes@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Dan Stokes at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @ByDanStokes</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Hazleton Police begin major crackdown on city trouble spot