W-b Police Seek Public's Help In Apprehending Theft Suspect

Appreciated Pre-election Editorial On Power Of The Vote To Bring Change

By JOHN DECKER Times Leader Staff Writer
 Thursday, November 11, 1999 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 2A 





WYOMING - Fifteen people suspected of dealing drugs were arrested Wednesday
during an early morning drug sweep. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The arrests were the result of a six-month state police investigation into
al leged drug dealing in northern Luzerne County. Police say they believe the
majority of those arrested are heroin dealers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Police continued to search for six other suspects late Wednesday. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Sgt. Richard Krawetz described those arrested as mid-level street dealers.
All but two of the arrest warrants issued Wednesday were for the sale of
heroin, he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Included in the roundup was Danielle Bernadoni, 20, of Penn Avenue, Exeter,
a former local gymnastic standout. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As a freshman at Wyoming Area High School, Bernardoni advanced to states
after gold-medal performances at the District 2 level. Bernardoni, then 14,
won the uneven parallel bars competition and placed second in the balance beam
and floor exercise. She won a silver medal in the all-around competition. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Others arrested Wednesday on various charges of possession and possession
with the intent to deliver a controlled substance include: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Mark Dzanis, 39, of Franklin Street, West Pittston; Richard Humphrey, 44,
and Karen Novak, 38, both of Butler Street, Pittston; Jillian Clapps, 22, of
Chestnut Street, Dupont; Jessica Lombardo, 29, Luzerne County Correctional
Facility; Beverly Rebovitch, 43, of Ninth Street, Wyoming; Troy Yanchick, 33,
of Whitcock Street, Exeter; Neil Santo, 38, of Main Street, Dupont; Josephine
Lauck, 31, of Kennedy Street, Pittston; Shawn Burgess, 24, LCCF; Michael
Malia, 47, of Lee Park Avenue, Hanover Township; Michael Policare, age
unavailable, of Fremont Street, West Pittston; Kevin Scott, age unavailable,
LCCF; Julius Smith, age unavailable, LCCF. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The suspects were processed and arraigned before District Justice Fred
Pierantoni at the state police barracks. They were jailed at county prison for
lack of bail, which ranged from $5,000 to $65,000 cash bail. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The following people are being sought by police: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Michael Ceccarelli, 24, of Fourth Street, West Pittston; Nancy Masher, 43,
and Joseph Shalata, 40, both of Lincoln Street, Exeter; James Loftus, 21, of
Butler Street, Forty Fort; Guy Lombardo, 24, of John Street, Pittston; Thomas
Pisano, 29, of Hilltop Street, Pittston. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Anyone with information about the wanted individuals is asked to call Troop
P at 826-5460. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 At least three of those arrested Wednesday previously had been charged with
drug violations or arrested for other violations. In February, Clapps was
arrested at her home and charged with selling heroin to an undercover state
trooper in Pittston, state police previously reported. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Police reported in April that Lauck and an Exeter Township man sold cocaine
to a police confidential informant. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 This is the second time Masher was rounded up in a state police drug
investigation. She was one of 93 people targeted in the October 1998 Operation
Triggerlock. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Wednesday's undercover investigation was conducted by the state police
Bureau of Drug Law Enforcement in conjunction with the Troop P, Wyoming, Vice
Unit. Members of the Luzerne County District Attorney's Office and officers
from several municipal police departments also participated.

15 Arrested In County Drug Sweep