A traffic stop for a loud exhaust in Saint Clair led to the arrest of a man driving a stolen van and carrying suspected methamphetamine and prescription pills, police say.
Saint Clair Police say they stopped Charles Adukaitis, 36, of Frackville, shortly after 11:30 p.m. Tuesday after hearing excessive noise coming from a white Ford van traveling on Hancock St. Before the traffic stop, Adukaitis allegedly made evasive driving moves, including turning at multiple intersections, police say.
A check of the van’s dealer license plate showed it had expired in September. Adukaitis told police he was aware of the exhaust leak, did not have documentation for the vehicle, and was painting it for a friend, police say.
A check of the vehicle identification number revealed the van, which had been partially spray-painted black over rusted rocker panels, was reported stolen out of Mount Carmel, police say. Police say they also discovered Adukaitis had an active warrant out of Wisconsin for terroristic threats.
After being detained, Adukaitis reportedly told police he received the van from a friend but refused to provide a name or location of said friend. Adukaitis later changed his statement, telling police he picked the van up from a garage that seemed “legitimate” and was “test driving” it because he was considering a purchase. Adukaitis allegedly said the license plate was already on the vehicle when he picked it up, police say.
During a search following his arrest, police say they recovered a variety of suspected drugs and paraphernalia. The items included approximately 4.2 grams of a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine, multiple pills suspected to be alprazolam and clonazepam, a digital scale with white residue, small plastic baggies, a marijuana grinder, and a personal makeup mirror with a razor blade containing white residue, police say.
Adukaitis was arraigned shortly after 3 a.m. Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge Stephen Bayer and charged with felony counts of receiving stolen property and possession with intent to delivery. He’s also been charged with misdemeanor counts of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and several summary offenses. Bayer set bail at $100,000 and remanded Adukaitis to Schuylkill County Prison.
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