web1_retreat03CMYK.jpg

No surprises in state legislative races as incumbents cruise to victory

web1_eddie_day2_faa.jpg

Pashinski defeats challenger Henry

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; A Kingston woman was arrested after she initiated a pursuit with police that began on Coal Street, passed through Public Square, and ended in a parking lot on North Main Street, authorities report.</p><p>A city officer in the parking lot of Coal Street Park spotted the driver, identified as Caitlin Elena Mentz, 35, driving at a high rate of speed just after 9 p.m. Saturday, according to court records.</p><p>Mentz drove past the officer in the parking lot and turned onto Coal Street.</p><p>Police pursued Mentz, who turned onto North Wilkes-Barre Boulevard and East Market Street. Mentz then allegedly swerved toward a cruiser in the area of North Pennsylvania Avenue.</p><p>Police say Mentz drove through Public Square and turned onto North Main Street at a high rate of speed, and turned into a parking lot in the area of 373 N. Main St.</p><p>Mentz drove deeper into the parking lot, barely missing officers who exited cruisers, court records say.</p><p>Mentz eventually stopped the vehicle but refused to get out or put the vehicle&#8217;s transmission into park.</p><p>An officer smashed a window and the suspect was stunned with a Taser before an officer could place her vehicle into park, court records say.</p><p>During the pursuit, police allege Mentz kept leaning toward the passenger-side seat, causing her to nearly crash into several parked vehicles.</p><p>Police said they found a pipe commonly used to smoke crack cocaine, an empty sandwich bag with a ripped corner, a pill bottle and other paraphernalia inside Mentz&#8217;s vehicle.</p><p>She allegedly told police she was at Coal Street Park to &#8220;do bad things.&#8221;</p><p>Police also said Mentz attempted to remove a Taser from an officer when she was walked to an ambulance.</p><p>Mentz was arraigned by District Judge David Barilla in Forty Fort on charges of fleeing or attempting to elude police, disarming a law enforcement officer, recklessly endangering another person, resisting arrest, driving under the influence, possession of drug paraphernalia and reckless driving. She was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $5,000 bail.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/web1_WB-Police-insignia.jpg">
<div class="neCaption"></div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/web1_WB-Police-insignia.jpg</photo0><caption0></caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Ed Lewis</p><p>elewis@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div>

Downtown Wilkes-Barre pursuit ends with arrest of Kingston woman