Charges Stem From Heroin Overdose

By Pattie Price


Eric Gallagher, 22, of Newtown, waived a hearing. Thursday. before Magisterial District Judge Lee Hunter
on five counts of possession of a controlled substance. The charges stem
from an incident 5:55p.m., Nov. 12, at his Third Avenue residence.

According
to the affidavit, Newtown Sgt. Gary Sebra said police responded to
Gallagher’s home to investigate a report that he was unconscious due to a
heroin overdose.

Sebra said Gallagher was unresponsive and unconscious. Several dime bags of heroin were confiscated from his dresser.

Gallagher’s step-father told police Eric had just completed a 29 day rehab program that day.

Eric was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital for treatment.

He is scheduled for a Feb. 13 arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

* * *

Bernard Pagliaro, 74, of Newtown, waived a hearing  on the charges of DUI for an incident 10:16 p.m., Nov. 12, on West Chester Pike at St. Albans Avenue. In exchange for the waiver the charges of careless driving and a turn signal violation were withdrawn.

According to the affidavit, Newtown Officer Joe Vandegrift saw Pagliaro operating a silver Nissan Altima as he was exiting the parking lot of St. Alban’s Shopping Center. The Nissan’s interior light was on and the driver’s door was open.

Vandegrift said Pagliaro veered across the lanes on West Chester Pike and then turned right onto St. Albans Avenue from the inside lane. As Pagliaro navigated the traffic circle he almost struck a utility pole and curb.

He was stopped when he hit the curb and almost struck another pole.

He admitted consuming two big glasses of Bacardi rum.

Pagliaro was transported to Springfield Hospital for a blood test. He was released and is scheduled for a Feb. 13 arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

* * *

Trokon Gbapaywhea, 31, of Philadelphia was held for a Feb. 13 arraignment in Common Pleas Court on the charges of DUI, driving on roadways laned for traffic, and careless driving. The charges stem from an incident 9:55p.m., Oct. 5, in the 3700 block of West Chester Pike.

According to the affidavit Newtown Sgt. Gary Sebra said police responded to West Chester Pike and Route 252 for a report of a reckless intoxicated driver.

Lt. Michael Savitski saw the white Mercury van stopped in the left travel lane on West Chester Pike. Savitski got behind the van and said it appeared to be stopping but then accelerated and passed other drivers while swerving. Savitski activated his lights and siren in an attempt to stop the driver, later identified as Gbapaywhea. As he approached Valley View Lane, the van swerved into the right lane, onto the shoulder and came to a slow rolling stop.

Savitski said Gbapaywhea had a strong odor of alcohol, bloodshot glassy eyes, slurred speech and was extremely unsteady on his feet.

Gbapaywhea admitted he had “just one beer.” He failed field sobriety tests. A portable breath test revealed a blood alcohol level of .142 percent. Gbapaywhea was transported to Riddle Memorial Hospital by Sebra for a blood test.

* * *
Francisco Arroyo, 38, of Camden, N.J., waived a hearing on the charge of receiving stolen property for an incident 8:52 p.m., Oct. 15, at the Acme, 3590 West Chester Pike.

According to the affidavit, Newtown Detective John Newell said Arroyo was the driver of a white Lincoln used as the get-away car in numerous thefts from the Acme’s in the tri-county area. On Oct. 15, Acme employees called police when Arroyo’s two co-defendants fled the store and one of the suspects jumped into the Lincoln.

Arroyo was stopped on West Chester Pike at Barren Road by Sgt. Steve Sangiorgio and Officer Joe Alonso. He told police he is a “hack” taxi cab driver and was hired by the co-defendants to drive them to numerous stores in Pennsylvania.

Seized from the trunk of the vehicle were numerous over the counter medications and razors.

Arroyo is scheduled for a Feb. 13 arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

* * *

David Kelly, 48, of Marcus Hook, waived a hearing on the charges of defiant trespass for an incident 8:40 a.m., Jan. 4, at Saint Anastasia School.

According to the affidavit, Newtown Officer Todd Welch was monitoring school traffic when he saw Kelly walking towards the church and rectory.

Kelly had been previously arrested by Newtown Police for a burglary at another church in the township to which he plead guilty. Kelly was told on Dec. 15, 26, and Feb. 9 that he would be arrested if he returned to the property.

Kelly was remanded to the George W. Hill Correctional Facility when he was unable to post 10 percent of $5,000 bail. He is scheduled for a Feb. 13 arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

* * *

Carl Kasarsky, 20, of Marple, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct for an incident 11:35 p.m., Dec. 23, at a home in the unit block of Ashley Road. In exchange for the guilty plea the charges of aggravated harassment by a prisoner, underage drinking, and public drunkenness were withdrawn.

* * *

Charges of DUI and recklessly endangering his two children were dismissed against Charles Cantlin, 45, of Newtown  from an incident 2:30p.m., Oct. 25, at his Echo Valley residence.
 

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