Hughesville woman charged with hindering apprehension

During the early morning hours of March 20, police officers arrived at Breeann Burkholder’s home at 227 S. Second St. in Hughesville, looking for fugitive Warren Wayman Swank III, who was wanted for his alleged involvement that night in a pursuit with Muncy police. “Multiple attempts were made to make contact at the front door, but no one responded,” it was stated in an affidavit filed by Muncy police.

It turned out that Burkholder, 25, and Swank were both inside the house, but Burkholder admitted hours later when she was questioned at her place of employment about Swank’s whereabouts that she “chose not” to answer the door, the court document stated. She was told that there was “an active felony warrant for Swank’s arrest for fleeing an eluding,” and she was warned that she too could face charges if she “aided, harbored or assisted” Swank in evading law enforcement. There was no information about Swank’s age or address.

Despite that warning, it is alleged that Burkholder and Swank were together in a vehicle when the two were involved in a pursuit with Hemlock Township police in Columbia County on April 3, the affidavit stated. Swank, supposedly the passenger, bailed out and eluded capture, but was later taken into custody at an unknown location or date. Burkholder, who was the driver, was taken into custody at the end of the pursuit, but she was “uncooperative and refused to provide any information” about Swank. When he was later arrested, Swank said that both he and Burkholder were in fact in her home the night police came to her door last month.

Muncy police have now charged Burkholder with hindering apprehension and prosecution along with illegal use of a cellphone. Following her recent arraignment before District Judge William Solomon, Burkholder was initially jailed, but is now free on $15,000 bail. She has since waived her preliminary hearing.

High Street assault results in broken leg

Latoya Victoria Washington, 43, of 2521 W. Fourth St., has been charged with simple assault following an altercation with another woman, who suffered a broken leg, according to city police. The assault occurred in the victim’s home in the 900 block of High Street on March 26 and resulted in the victim going to UPMC Williamsport. During the confrontation, Washington told the woman “Next time you’ll be picking yourself up off the floor. I’ll (expletive) you up worse than anyone ever has,” it was stated in an affidavit. Following her arraignment before District Judge Kirsten Gardner, Washington was released on $10,000 bail.

City woman allegedly stole merchandise from business

Jessica Ladawn Pettit, 32, of 632 Maple St., has been charged with misdemeanor shoplifting after she was caught stealing $66 worth of merchandise from the Family Dollar, 328 Memorial Ave., on Sept. 4, city police alleged in an affidavit. She has since waived her preliminary hearing before District Judge Aaron Biichle and is free on $5,000 bail. This was Pettit second shoplifting offense, police said.