Man faces drug-related charges after causing scene, fleeing police

A Nesquehoning man faces numerous drug-related charges after he caused a scene at an area business and then drove a dirt bike while under suspension and attempted to elude police.

According to the affidavit, filed by Nesquehoning police, on April 27, patrolman Richard Neikam received a call that a man, later identified as Tyler Joseph Kostak, 27, of Rhume Street, was inside the bathroom at True Value for approximately 20 minutes. The staff had to bang on the door in order to get Kostak to leave.

He began giving the staff a hard time and cursed at them before he left.

Officer Derek Marouchoc, who took the call from True Value, told Neikam that Kostak was operating a mini dirt bike up and down Willow Lane and then pulled into a residence across from the police station.

Police said that Kostak has a suspended driver’s license.

Kostak then left the home and police saw Kostak drive north on Allen Street. Neikam attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but Kostak looked back and continued traveling along Allen Street until he turned onto a dirt path that leads to the Nesquehoning foot bridge, a location that police are patrolling.

Neikam left his vehicle and began to chase after Kostak on foot. An officer from the state Fish and Boat Commission was monitoring the waterways at the time and attempted to stop Kostak, but was unsuccessful.

At this time, Kostak’s bike got stuck. Kostak struggled with the officers and was eventually taken into custody.

During a search, police found $8,076 in cash and approximately five bricks of heroin in Kostak’s pants pockets, as well as 1.5 generic form of Xanax pills in a baggie.

Marouchoc’s Auto was called to tow the dirt bike and it was placed in impound.

State police were contacted to evaluate Kostak but he refused a blood test.

Kostak faces charges of driving while operating privilege is suspended, fleeing or attempting to elude police, driving under the influence, no registration for the bike, operating a vehicle without insurance, resisting arrest, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with the intent to deliver and two counts unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

He was arraigned before District Judge William Kissner and bail was set at $350,000, 10 percent, which he was unable to post.

He is currently in Carbon County Correctional Facility awaiting his preliminary hearing before District Judge Casimir Kosciolek, which is scheduled for May 9.