Man faces theft, drug charges

A Summit Hill man was cited by Coaldale police on July 29 after he was observed on a mine road in the area of Lehigh and Third streets.

The officer was on patrol when he saw a red Jeep Cherokee leaving the private road. The Jeep's registration was expired, which led to a traffic stop.

The driver was identified as Kevin Gieniec, 31, of East Walter Street, Summit Hill. A records check indicated his driver's license was suspended.

Gieniec said he was just fixing a flat tire and that someone else was supposed to come and get the SUV. As the officer was asking questions, Gieniec became increasingly agitated. He admitted there was a glass pipe in the Jeep. He gave the officer permission to conduct a vehicle search.

In addition to the pipe, which contained green vegetable matter, the officer also found a small round container in the center console. Inside the container was a crystalline substance, suspected to be methamphetamine.

Gieniec then told the officer there was a small bag of meth in a green book bag on the front passenger floor. This was recovered.

Also in the Jeep were three tires and rims. It was later discovered they had been stolen from another man's Jeep Cherokee.

Gieniec was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, driving with a suspended license and theft by unlawful taking.