Missing cantaloupe sparks threats

After the female barricaded herself in her bedroom at 1955 Lycoming Creek Road about 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 23, Eddie Johnson, with a 24-inch machete in his hand, “busted down the bedroom door and told the female “I’m going to cut your (expletive) throat,” it was alleged in an affidavit filed by Lycoming Regional police. Johnson, 39, who lives in the same home, was apparently upset about “his missing cantaloupe,” police said. The victim sought refuge in her bedroom after Johnson told her she “had an hour to leave the house or he was going to get family members to (expletive) her up,” it was alleged. Johnson was arraigned hours later before District Judge Christian Frey on charges of terroristic threats, possession of an instrument of crime, simple assault, possession of drug paraphernalia and harassment. He has since waived his preliminary hearing and is free on $10,000 bail.

Muncy area man faces child pornography charges

Rowan Diego Revata, 20, of 125 Forest Road, Muncy, has been arrested three felony counts each of sexual abuse of children for possessing child pornography and illegal use of a communication device, according to investigators with the state police Criminal Crime Unit, The charges stem from pornographic images of children that were discovered earlier this year on a digital communication device that was traced back to Revata, police alleged. The images showed girls ages 9 to 12 exposing themselves, police said. The investigation began in mid-July after state police received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Revata has been arraigned before District Judge Kirsten Gardner and released on $75,000 bail. He has since waived his preliminary hearing.

Three women charged with shoplifting in separate cases

Appearing to be under the influence of a stimulant, Tracy N. Frederick, 67, of Lansdown, was apprehended outside Wegmans, 201 William St., after she is alleged to have attempted to leave the supermarket with $65 worth of merchandise on Aug. 2, city police alleged. It was her third shoplifting offense, police said. She also had in her possession a bag of methamphetamine and four oxycodone pills without a prescription, police said. In addition to being charged with felony shoplifting as well as possession of controlled substances and possession of drug paraphernalia, Frederick faces charges of theft and criminal mischief for stealing miscellaneous items from a section of the store that is off limits to customers and damaging the articles, police alleged. Following her arraignment before District Judge Aaron Biichle, Frederick was initially jailed, but has since been released on $5,000 bail.

In another case before the judge, Amber Halderman, 40, of 724 Grace St., has been jailed on felony shoplifting and criminal trespassing charges after she is alleged to have fled Wegmans with $39 worth of merchandise on Aug. 27, police said. She has been banned from the store for nearly two years, police said. Following her recent arraignment, she was jailed in the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $5,000 bail. This too was Halderman’s third shoplifting arrest.

In another area shoplifting case, Brandy Lee Fahrenbach, 43, of 202 Charles St., Montoursville, has waived her preliminary hearing on a borough police charge of misdemeanor shoplifting for allegedly stealing a total of $194 worth of merchandise from the Weis Market at 801 N. Loyalsock Ave. between March 7 and June 6, according to an affidavit. Fahrenbach exited the store nine times with merchandise she allegedly did not pay for, police alleged. She is free on $5,000 bail.

City man accused of stealing hospital employee’s cellphone

David Murrell Smith, 62, of 334 Walnut St., has been charged with theft and receiving stolen property for stealing a cellphone from UPMC Williamsport that belonged to an employee on Aug. 9, city police alleged in an affidavit. Following his arraignment before District Judge Denise Dieter, Smith was jailed in lieu of $20,000 bail. He is also incarcerated in lieu of an additional $20,000 bail charge following his arraignment on a felony shoplifting charge filed by Montoursville police following an incident at the Weis Market in the borough on July 29. He has waived his preliminary hearing in both cases.