Wanted Albrightsville man faces theft charge after arrest in Scranton

A Carbon County man faces charges after police learned he was operating a stolen vehicle in Scranton, officers said.

While conducting a routine patrol of the Turkey Hill convenience store on Mulberry Street on Sunday at 1:33 a.m., Officer Matthew P. Conforti discovered a stolen silver Honda Civic parked outside the store, according to a criminal complaint.

The vehicle was running and a man — later identified was Kenneth Richards — was standing in front of it, police said.

Richards told police the vehicle belonged to his boss, per the complaint.

After officers detained Richards, county dispatchers informed them he had multiple arrest warrants out of multiple states for drug violations and larceny of a motor vehicle, police said.

Richards originally told police he was aware there were issues with the vehicle’s registration because he purchased it from his former boss, but never transferred the title, per the complaint.

Richards then told officers his boss allowed him to use the vehicle for about a month but that he started using methamphetamine and never returned the vehicle to his boss, police said.

After Richards gave police consent to search the vehicle, they found a digital scale containing a white powder residue, per the complaint.

When questioned about being at the convenience store, Richards told officers he was on his way to pick up a woman to purchase methamphetamine, police said.

The Honda Civic was confirmed as stolen by the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department and officers were also advised Richards had an active warrant out of New Jersey for dangerous drugs, per the complaint.

Police charged Richards, 142 Motega Drive, with receiving stolen property, flight to avoid apprehension and possession of drug paraphernalia.

As of Monday, Richards, 40, remained in Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Jan. 3 at 10:30 a.m.

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