Traffic stop leads to drug charges

A traffic stop by Pocono Mountain Regional police has led to drug charges.

Police said on Sunday, Aug. 1, about 12:22 p.m. officers stopped a vehicle along SR940 at Knox St., in Mt. Pocono, for an expired inspection sticker. After a brief investigation the driver, Eric Zappulla, 22, of South Sterling, Wayne County, was found to have drug paraphernalia on him and his passenger, Wally Kripps Jr., 22, of Scotrun, had a small amount of marijuana on him. Both will have drug charges filed against them, police said.

Police also reported on other arrests.

On Friday, July 30, about 8:40 p.m. officers were on bicycle patrol in the area of the Pocono Mountain Volunteer Fireman's Carnival, in Mt. Pocono, when they observed two males sitting inside a vehicle parked behind Burke's Tavern, located off SR611. Officers made contact with the males. One was identified as Malachi Garcia, 20, of East Stroudsburg, and the other was a 16-year-old male. Officers detected the odor of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle. A further investigation revealed both males in possession of a small amount of marijuana, which was rolled into a cigarette.

Both were cited for drug possession charges and released.

Another arrest occurred in the area of the carnival. On Friday, July 30, about 10:29 p.m. officers on bike patrol in the Mount Pocono Beverage parking lot along SR611 smelled the odor of burnt marijuana. A 13-year-old male juvenile was observed walking with a marijuana cigarette in hand. He was cited and released to the custody of his parents, police said.

On Monday, Aug. 2, about 12:49 a.m. officers responded to Laurel Drive, in Tobyhanna, to a report of two males prowling outside a residence. The victim reported her doorbell ringing and observed the males standing on her porch.

One male was wearing a bandanna which was covering his face. When she yelled for her husband to call 9-1-1, the two males ran.

Police said they observed two males walking on Main Street matching the description given by the victim. They were identified as Christyen Sumpter, 18, and a 16-year-old male, both from Tobyhanna.

Sumpter had in his possession a BB handgun and the juvenile had a bandanna. Both were taken into custody and transported to police headquarters.

Both admitted being at the residence where the complaint was made. Both were charged with loitering and prowling at night and then released.