A Palmerton man was charged twice within approximately an hour in Lehighton - in two different vehicles - for driving under the influence (DUI).

Timothy Simcsuk, 24, of 823 Princeton Ave., has been charged by borough police with DUI; driving an unregistered vehicle; altered, forged, or counterfeit documents or plates; and proper class of license required.The first charges stem from an incident on Dec. 15 at about 1:54 a.m. when police observed a dump truck parked on the 200 block of North First Street.As the officer was issuing a parking ticket to the vehicle, Simcsuk exited an establishment in that vicinity and jumped into the dump truck, then started to pull away.Police said the officer activated the emergency lights and stopped him.A blood test indicated Simcsuk's BAC level was .163 percent, police said.After the blood draw, Simcsuk was transported to a home on the 100 block of South First Street.Police said that at about 3 a.m. that morning, Simcsuk was observed walking to and entering a vehicle which was parked in the Rite Aid parking lot. As police approached, the vehicle left the parking lot and drove down the 200 block of North First Street. Police said the vehicle was pulled over at about 3:02 a.m. and Simcsuk was identified as the driver.He was taken into custody again and transported to the hospital where a second blood test was taken. Simcsuk's BAC level was .166 percent. He was again charged with DUI.A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 5.