Tamaqua Police Log

Tamaqua police reported on the following incidents:

• Daniel K. Goepfert, 23, of Tamaqua, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and operating a vehicle without inspection. Charges stem from Jan. 8 incident. Police observed Goepfert’s vehicle in the area of Hazle Street with an expired inspection sticker. Goepfert was known as being a wanted person by the Schuylkill County Adult Probation Department. A vehicle stop was conducted and Goepfert was taken into custody. After a search of the vehicle police found a hypodermic needle, a small plastic bag containing white residue, which tested positive for heroin and a small plastic bag containing two pieces of cotton, commonly use din the process of injecting heroin. Goepfert admitted to owning all of the items.

• Amber L. Hall, 30, of Barnesville, was charged with driving under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Charges stem from an incident at 11:23 a.m. Jan. 5. Police were dispatched to the intersection of Mauch Chunk and Patterson streets for a person passed out in the car in the middle of the road. Police noted the engine was running and the headlights and brake lights were activated. Hall was observed passed out behind the wheel. Police said she was in actual physical control of the vehicle. The entire vehicle was snow covered and in the drive position with Hall’s foot on the brake pedal. Police shined a flashlight and she awoke.

Police asked what she was doing, and Hall replied “doing a route.” She was unable to make coherent sentences and was difficult to understand. After a search of her vehicle, police found a small clear baggy with white crystal type substance, believed to be methamphetamine and she admitted to use earlier. Hall was taken to the hospital and refused a blood test. The substance tested positive for methamphetamine.

• Robert C. Hibbler, 69, of Tamaqua, was charged with trespassing/breaking into structure, public drunkenness, trespassing fenced and criminal mischief stemming from a Dec. 30 incident.

Police were called about a possible breaking and entering, with a second call naming Hibbler. Police spoke to the victim at the scene who said that it was the second time during the week that Hibbler came to the house drunk, smashing things and pounding on the door. Police said Hibbler broke the lock on the door and pulled down the wires for the video surveillance system and damaged window screens. Police found Hibbler on Lincoln Street and took him into custody. He was arraigned and straight bail was set at $25,000. He could not post bail and was taken to the county prison.

• John M. Cope, 33, of Tamaqua, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia due to a Dec. 28 incident. Police responded to an ambulance call on West Spruce Street for an overdose victim. The caller stated that she applied Narcan to Cope and revived him. Police observed a metal spoon with residue and a cotton ball on a table in the room, as well as two syringes and torn pieces of wax glassine paper. Cope said his overdose was caused by his use of heroin. He was asked to cooperate in assessment from ambulance personnel and he refused.