`our Best Days Ever' 
Local Merchants Say A Post-thanksgiving Blitz Should Yield A Green Christmas 
This Year

Albert Lipovsky 
Dec. 1, 1994 
Albert W. Lipovsky, 76, Of East Newport Street, Newtown Section Of Hanover 
Township Died Thursday At His Home.

By LISA SCHEID; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Saturday, December 03, 1994 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A 





HAZLE TWP. -- From behind the shattered glass of the convenience store,
clerk Joe Holly watched a troubled 17-year-old point a rifle at police. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Only moments before, Holly, 22, of Lattimer Mines in Hazle Township, had
been going about his Thursday morning routine at the Turkey Hill Minit Market
at Route 940 and 28th Street. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He was loading the walk-in cooler with soft drinks when the phone rang. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Somebody called from (Luzerne County) Human Services and told me to lock
the door," Holly said. "I ran to the door. The guy was standing about 20 feet
away from the door. I almost didn't get it locked in time." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As the teen screamed and pounded on the door with his fists, feet and
rifle, Holly ducked behind the counter and called his manager. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 State police troopers and officers from eight departments were on the
scene. Officers from as far away as Weatherly assisted state police. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Holly, a psychology student at Luzerne County Community College, watched as
the teen climbed on top of Holly's white Chevrolet Eurosport coupe. The teen
pointed the gun at his chin and then at police. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 State police say the teen tried to fire the .308 Savage rifle but the gun's
safety lock prevented him. Police threatened to shoot the teen. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Then, Holly saw the teen run around the store and heard banging at the back
door. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Police tackled the teen behind the convenience store around 3:15 a.m. One
police officer, Patrolman Brian Sabatini from Butler Township, was injured.
Sabatini hurt his right knee when he assisted state police in apprehending the
teen, said a township spokeswoman. Sabatini was treated and released from
Hazleton General Hospital. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Holly, who said he did not know the teen, had heard about him earlier
Wednesday night. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Two girls came in around 11 p.m. and said he was driving around with a
gun. They called state police," Holly said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Police said the incident began after the teen reportedly had a fight with a
relative in Drifton section of Hazle Township. The teen left on foot. Freeland
Community Ambulance responded to the home but the victim refused treatment, a
spokesman said. State police were dispatched to Drifton around 2 a.m. and
talked to the victim who refused to press charges. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Police said the teen walked about five miles along Route 940 and a set of
railroad tracks, sometimes pointing the gun at himself and at officers who
followed him in their cars. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 He also pointed the rifle at paramedics as they drove past him on their way
to the Drifton home, police said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The teen, who's name is being withheld by police, was taken to Luzerne
County Juvenile Detention Center where he will await an appearance in juvenile
court. State police said the teen will be charged with aggravated assault and
reckless endangerment. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Holly reopened the store shortly after the teen was taken into custody. He
finished his shift about 7 a.m. About 8 a.m., the teen's

Hazleton Store Clerk Recalls Close Call With Armed Teen 
Joe Holly Says A Phone Call Warned Him To Lock The Front Door Of The Turkey 
Hill Minit Market. Just 20 Feet Away From The Door Stood A 17-year-old With A 
.308 Savage Rifle

Hazleton Store Clerk Recalls Close Call With Armed Teen Joe Holly Says A Phone Call Warned Him To Lock The Front Door Of The Turkey Hill Minit Market. Just 20 Feet Away From The Door Stood A 17-year-old With A .308 Savage Rifle