Log In


Reset Password

Rush police chase nets drug find Wilkes-Barre biker charged with carrying 22 grams of cocaine and $2,000 in cash

A Wilkes-Barre man is lodged in Schuylkill County jail facing drug-related charges including a felony count after a Saturday afternoon motorcycle pursuit in Rush Township.

According to police, an officer on patrol at 1:50 p.m. spotted a Kawasaki sport bike traveling at a high rate of speed on Claremont Avenue (Route 309).As the officer attempted to make a traffic stop, the motorcycle rapidly accelerated, ignoring the pursuing officer's lights and sirens.Following a brief pursuit, officers were able to apprehend the biker, Benigno Negron-Cedeno, 33, when afternoon traffic impeded his escape.Once Negron-Cedeno was taken into custody, officers transported him to the township police office for processing.At police headquarters, Negron-Cedeno struggled with officers and attempted to ingest an unknown controlled substance, police said.Police said Negron-Cedeno was carrying 22 grams of cocaine and $2,143 in cash, according to Sgt. Duane Frederick.Negron-Cedeno was arraigned before District Justice Steve Bayer in Tamaqua, shortly after 5 p.m. and charged with one felony count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, one misdemeanor count each of tampering with or destroying physical evidence, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer.Patrolman Alex Kosatschkow was the arresting officer, assisted by officer Bradley Hess.Bayer set bail at $50,000 straight cash.Negron-Cedeno was unable to meet bailand was committed and transported to the Schuylkill CountyCorrectional Facilityin Pottsville, where he awaits a preliminaryhearing.

DONALD R. SERFASS/TIMES NEWS Benigno Negron-Cedeno is led to arraignment Saturday by Rush Township Officer Alex Kosatschkow.