Woman faces charges after stealing a work van, driving erratically

A local business apologized to drivers after a woman took their work van without permission and drove erratically on Carbon County roads Thursday night.

Evans Coal & Fuel Oil posted a message on Facebook explaining that someone stole their work van and drove erratically between Lansford and Lehighton. Nicole Oplinger, 38, faces charges resulting from the incident.

“Evans fuel would like to extend an apology to anyone who was subject our service van driving erratically, tail gating, running them off of the road etc. The van was stolen from in front of a residence in Lansford at approximately 7:30 last night,” the message read.

Evans Oil owner Mark Krajcirik reported to police that he was finishing a service call in Lansford when he discovered that his work van had been stolen.

A few minutes later, a Franklin Township resident called police to report that Nicole Oplinger, a woman with whom his son has a child, arrived at his house in an Evans Oil van, and kicked his car.

The Franklin Township resident, Neil Dorshimer, said Oplinger attempted to take the child before she kicked his car.

Lansford Police searched for the van and found it on Bertsch Street in the borough, unoccupied with its flashing lights on.

Police then located Oplinger, who reportedly failed to cooperate with their demands to sit in the back of a squad car.

Oplinger reportedly yelled at officers and spit on the window of the patrol car.

An officer attempted to move her head to put on her seat belt, and she reportedly bit his hand. Oplinger was arraigned on charges of unauthorized use of an automobile, resisting arrest and institutional vandalism.

She was sent to Carbon County Correctional Facility on $10,000 bail.