Man charged in Lansford road rage incident waives hearing; will seek ARD placement

A Coaldale man who allegedly used a gun to threaten another driver after what police term a "road rage incident" waived a preliminary hearing on the charges.

Thomas Frey Jr., 35, will ask to be included in Carbon County Accelerated Rehabilitation Distribution (ARD) program.

Frey appeared Wednesday before District Judge Casimir Kosciolek of Lansford and indicated his desire to waive the charges to court. He faces four misdemeaner charges: Terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person, and two counts of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or controlled subsance. Also added is a summary charge of harassment.

Lansford police officer Robert Shubeck alleges that Frey had a gun and threatened John Zwiesdak, whose address wasn't listed, in the parking lot of the Turkey Hill Mini Mart.

It is alleged by Shubeck that Zwiesdak had been following Frey on SR209 and passed the defendant "because he thought he was pulling over."

Frey then allegedly followed Zwiesdak to the parking lot of the mini market where he "confronted (the victim) about passing his vehicle and started a verbal confrontation," the affidavit says.

The affidavit adds, "While the victim was inside the store and got back into his truck and attempted to leave, Frey returned to his blue Pontiac and picked up a shotgun, racked a shell into the chamber, and said, 'I'll shoot you.'"

Shubeck said he detected a strong odor of alcohol. A blood test indicated Frey's BAC was .17 percent.

Kosciolek set bail at $3,000 unsecured for Frey.

Other matters resolved by Kosciolek yesterday are:

* Shaimar Isaac Williams, 27, of Summit Hill, must face charges in county court, including disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and driving while his operating privileges is suspended. Williams didn't appear for the hearing, but Kosciolek heard testimony by Officer Joshua Tom of the Lansford Police Department, and then forwarded the charges to court.

Tom said the charges stem from Oct. 14 when Williams attempted to flee on foot after being stopped while driving his car.

* Michael E. Ruckhardt, 28, of Summit Hill, waived a hearing on a retail theft charge. He allegedly stole Hershey's candy and Adnes creme de menthe candy, valued at $8.62, from Boyer's Market in Lansford. The alleged theft happened last January.

* Marretta McGeehan, 24, of Lehighton, will plead guilty to two counts of DUI. The charges are from a stop by the Lansford Police Department on Nov. 16, 2008.

* Thomas M. Drum, 36, of Nesquehoning, waived his charges to county court. Lansford police had charged him with two counts each of DUI, accident involving damage to unattended vehicle, ande one each of careless driving and duty to give information and render aid.

Kosciolek said the Carbon County Probation Office sought revocation of bail since Drum allegedly violated terms of his previous unsecured bail conditions. The condition he allegedly violated was drinking alcohol. Kosciolek agreed to set bail at 10 percent of $2,500, and noted that if Drum consumes any alcohol while awaiting trial, he will be jailed.

* Brian Brown, 45, of New Jersey, agreed to plead guilty to summary offenses of driving while under suspension, operation of vehicle without official certificate of inspection, restraint systems, traffic control signals, and careless driving. Charges of endangering welfare of children and fleeing or attempting to elude police officers were withdrawn by the arresting officer, David Midas of the Lansford Police Department.

The charges stem from May 2, 2005, when Brown allegedly fled police in a pickup truck while a 10-year-old child was in the bed of the truck.

Midas said Brown cooperated and returned to Lansford to face charges instead of fighting extradition. He also cooperated with the police.

The arresting officer said he has been working with other agencies, and one of those other agencies addressed the charges involving the child.

* Seth Reinhart, 30, of Lansford, plead guilty to two counts of DUI, one count of restruction on an alcoholic substance, and one count of drivers required to be licensed.

Kosciolek set bail at $1,000 straight for Reinhart, who is presently lodged in the Schuylkill County prison.