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Stepped-up watches guzzled gallons from WB Fire Department budget

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<p>HAZLETON &#8212; A fugitive from Puerto Rico was arrested by police after they were called to a residence for an alleged assault Saturday morning.</p><p>Jesus Ivan Piris-Acevedo, 33, faces extradition for an armed robbery offense after Hazleton officers said they found him hiding in a basement following a spat with a female victim.</p><p>According to a press release by Hazleton City Chief of Police Jerry Speziale:</p><p>Officers responded to a reported assault in progress in the 700 block of North Locust Street at approximately 8 a.m.</p><p>A female victim claimed a male at the location named &#8216;&#8220;Ivan,&#8221; later identified as Piris-Acevedo, was hiding in her basement because he was wanted by authorities from Puerto Rico for armed robbery.</p><p>Piris-Acevedo attempted to flee out the basement&#8217;s back door, but he was taken into custody without incident because officers surrounded the location.</p><p>He was transported to City Hall for a positive identification.</p><p>The Luzerne County 911 Center through the National Crime Information Center confirmed Piris-Acevedo had an active arrest warrant out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, for an armed robbery and weapons offense.</p><p>A Puerto Rican police department official confirmed his identity and faxed a copy of his arrest warrant to Hazleton police.</p><p>Piris-Acevedo was arraigned by District Judge Brian James Tupper on a fugitive from justice charge.</p><p>He was remanded to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $120,000 cash bail.</p><p>&#8220;The quick tactics and actions by the officers involved removed a dangerous violent felon from our streets,&#8221; Speziale said. &#8220;I&#8217;m proud of the tireless efforts the officers displayed.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Piris-Acevedo </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/web1_fUGIITIVE-3.jpg</photo0><caption0>Piris-Acevedo </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></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>

Police: Fugitive wanted in Puerto Rico nabbed in Hazleton