An Effort man has been charged with driving his vehicle through wheat fields at a property in Eldred Township.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by Trooper Theodore Wilson of the state police at Lehighton in the case against Craig Choynowski:

At around 12:37 p.m. March 16, Wilson responded to a home in the 500 block of Correll Road for wheat field crops that were damaged.

Upon arrival, Wilson spoke with a man who said that a vehicle drove through his wheat field and began doing “doughnuts” that resulted in property damage and crops being destroyed.

The man said that the crops were planted by another man who farms on his property.

At 7 a.m. March 17, trooper Daniel Magluilo identified Choynowski as a suspect.

A query of Choynowski revealed a 2019 Subaru Impreza that was registered to him.

Magluilo went to Choynowski’s residence and observed his registered vehicle in the driveway. Magluilo also observed the vehicle’s exterior, wheel wells, and undercarriage to be embedded with mud. The vehicle also displayed recent damages to its exterior body panels.

Magluilo said Choynowski confessed to the crimes originally reported to Wilson.

Choynowski admitted to operating the vehicle during the date and time and at the location of this incident, and further admitted to intentionally causing damages to the man’s field and crops for the purpose of self-satisfaction.

Choynowski said his girlfriend was a passenger in the vehicle at the time.

Choynowski faces charges of agricultural crop destruction; criminal mischief - damage property; and criminal trespass/simple trespasser.

Choynowski is free in lieu of $15,000 unsecured bail, and scheduled to have a preliminary hearing April 21 before District Judge Colleen Mancuso of Brodheadsville.