An Auburn man is currently in Schuylkill County Prison after police eventually caught up with him following a rage-filled series of incidents – including vehicle theft and kidnapping – on Sunday night into Monday.
After taking him into custody, police charged 32-year-old Clayton Pepe with a raft of charges, including 3 felonies.
Auburn Man in Prison After Threatening to Kill Minersville Woman
State Police in Schuylkill Haven say Pepe’s rage started at a property along Green Tree Drive in West Brunswick Township at around 11 p.m. Sunday. That’s where Pepe got into a fight with a Minersville woman and grabbed her purse.
The woman tried to get away down a driveway but Pepe got into her car and forced her to get into the car. Pepe threatened the woman that if she didn’t get in the car, he’d kill her.
She didn’t get into the car apparently, and police say Pepe then got out of the victim’s car, went over to her. He allegedly grabbed the woman by the hair and threw her to the ground. Pepe picked the woman up off the ground and forced her into the vehicle.
He then drove the vehicle he was now stealing to the New Ringgold Mart. That’s where the Minersville woman once again tried to flee Pepe’s captivity.
This time, she was successful. The woman ran away and found refuge with a friend.
Police found the woman’s vehicle in a driveway near Pepe’s place of residence.
Felony Charges
Police picked up Pepe and hauled him in front of District Judge James Ferrier Monday morning.
He was arraigned on the following charges:
- Robbery of a Motor Vehicle (Felony 1)
- Theft (Felony 2 and Misdemeanor 1)
- Receiving Stolen Property (Felony 2 and Misdemeanor 1)
- Terroristic Threats
- Driving with a Suspended License (Misdemeanor 3)
- False Imprisonment (Misdemeanor 2)
- Simple Assault (Misdemeanor 2)
- Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle (Misdemeanor 2)
- 2 counts of Harassment (Summary)
Pepe was thrown in Schuylkill County Prison after being unable to post $25,000 bail. He’s due back in court for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 25 at 9:45 a.m.
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