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Nesquehoning police seek two in drug-related incidents

Nesquehoning police need your help finding two people who are wanted in connection with two unrelated incidents involving drugs.

The people police are looking for are Alisen Vanger, 25, last known address 261 Rowe St., Tamaqua; and Tito Steva Rodriguez Jr., 20, last known address 878 N. Lee Court, Apt. 4, Hazleton.Alisen VangerVanger currently has two active bench warrants out for her arrest, Nesquehoning Police Chief Sean Smith said, adding that she failed to show up for her preliminary hearing last month.Charges stem from an incident that occurred on Oct. 10 along Route 93 and the game lands.At the time, Smith was monitoring traffic when a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica passed him going 76.5 mph in a 55 zone.During the traffic stop, the driver was identified as Ronald Ventura, 28, of Albrightsville, and Vanger was a passenger.Smith said at that time that he knew the pair from his involvement in the county's drug task force and from working with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's drug investigation unit and state police in Hazleton.Smith asked the two to exit the vehicle and he, along with Weatherly Police Chief Brian Markovichick and officer Brittany Stasik, found two used syringes, a plunger and Q-tip wrapped in a rubber band next to the passenger side of the vehicle. Vanger denied any knowledge of the items.While searching Vanger's possessions, officers also found drug paraphernalia, a cellphone and over $2,400 in cash.Vanger was charged with criminal conspiracy-tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, criminal conspiracy-possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of drug paraphernalia and tampering with/fabricated physical evidence.Smith said Monday that Vanger had been on probation in Schuylkill County at the time and that probation has been revoked.Tito RodriguezNesquehoning police are also looking for Rodriguez in connection with an incident that occurred on Oct. 19 along Route 93 and the state game lands.Smith was monitoring traffic in the area when he clocked a vehicle, driven by Rodriguez, traveling southbound at 76 mph in a 55 zone.He initiated a traffic stop. Upon approaching the vehicle, Smith noted that Rodriguez was nervous and that his hands were shaking.A check revealed that Rodriguez's license was suspended. Smith then informed him that he would be cited for speeding and driving under suspension and that the vehicle would be towed from the scene.At that time, Rodriguez said a friend would come pick him up and drive the vehicle to his home. Smith then observed Rodriguez acting suspiciously, so he again approached the vehicle.Smith asked if there was any contraband in the vehicle and if he could search it, as well as do a pat-down search of Rodriguez. Rodriguez agreed to the search and exited the car.Smith found crack cocaine hidden in Rodriguez's pants pocket and groin area; as well as a large amount of cash. At that time, Rodriguez began to argue. Smith instructed him to move to the front of the vehicle until the search was complete.During the search, Smith noticed that Rodriguez was not where he instructed him to be, but was standing behind him. Again, Rodriguez began to argue with Smith and pulled away when Smith tried to grab him by the shoulder. His shoulder hit Smith's shoulder.Rodriguez attempted to run, but Smith grabbed his pants and felt what he thought was a weapon. Rodriguez pulled away and ran into the woods. Smith called for backup and remained at the vehicle until it was towed.The next day a search warrant was secured for the vehicle. Smith, officer Timothy Wuttke, and state trooper Tony Doblovasky and his K-9 unit searched it, finding in the glove box a small amount of marijuana. Also found was a white heroin baggie with resin in it, a bowl/pipe with burnt marijuana resin in it, a cellophane baggie, clear baggie with vegetable matter in it and a rolled-up dollar bill used in drug use.The money found on Rodriguez was counted and amounted to $476. The vehicle was then placed in an impound lot. The drugs found tested positive for illegal substances.He is charged with two counts each of aggravated assault, simple assault and possession of a controlled substance, and one count each of escape, resisting arrest, tampering with/fabricating physical evidence, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked and maximum speed limits.Police ask anyone who knows the whereabouts of Vanger or Rodriguez to call their local police department or Nesquehoning police at 570-669-9111.

Alisen Vanger