Tamaqua police log
Tamaqua police reported the following incidents:
• Justin Startzel, 37, of Summit Hill, faces charges related to a 6:39 a.m. Sept. 29 report of a hit-and-run in Tamaqua.
Police charged Startzel with accident involving damage to attended vehicle, failure to stop and give information, careless driving and several traffic offenses.
A woman told police that her rental vehicle was hit when it was near the Five Points intersection. She said the driver did not stop so she pursued the striking vehicle until the driver, later identified as Startzel, pulled over. She said Startzel said that he didn’t see any damage to his vehicle and left.
Police contacted Startzel, who they said admitted to being involved in the crash but said that he didn’t believe there was any damage to the other vehicle. Officers said Startzel refused to provide his insurance information.
Video surveillance shows Startzel switching lanes at the Five Points, striking the victim’s vehicle and driving through a steady red light, according to police.
• A Coaldale woman police said fought with another woman around 1 p.m. Oct. 1 was charged with simple assault.
Esmeralda Vasquez, 39, also will be charged with disorderly conduct, police said.
Police said they were called to the unit block of North Greenwood Street for a fight, and spoke to a woman who had been assaulted.
Officers also reviewed video footage, which they said shows Vasquez running toward the woman and pushing her. Police said Vasquez continued to pursue the victim, who was moving away.
Vasquez also threw a plastic bucket at the woman, police said.