Police: Man stole marijuana, discarded in yard

A Lansford man has been charged with robbery after he stole marijuana and later threw it into a yard.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by officer Anthony Campanell of the Lansford Borough Police Department:

At 9:23 p.m. Monday, Campanell was dispatched to the area of West Abbott and Cortright streets for a robbery that had just occurred.

Campanell said the victim identified the suspect as Rene Figueroa, 18.

The victim said she was meeting to sell a Play Station gaming system, and identified Figueroa wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt.

Figueroa was later found at the Turkey Hill Mini Mart in Lansford. He was taken to the Lansford Police Station.

While there, Figueroa admitted that he arranged to purchase marijuana from his friend, who contacted another friend, who got his mother to sell to Figueroa.

When the mother arrived, Figueroa said he grabbed the marijuana from her and fled. While running, Figueroa heard his friend screaming as he was being assaulted.

Figueroa told police he panicked and threw the marijuana into a yard.

He faces charges of robbery, theft and receiving stolen property.

Lansford police said they responded to several simultaneous incidents Monday night, including a reported strong arm robbery, a fight in the area of Cortright and Abbott streets and a stabbing several blocks away.

Police said the incidents were related.

Figueroa is free in lieu of $25,000 unsecured bail, and is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing Wednesday before District Judge Joseph D. Homanko of Weatherly.