HPD Catches Heroin Fugitive Across State Lines

Former Hazleton resident, 23 year old Pedro Crespo, was charged with 3 counts of Delivery of a Controlled Substance, 1 count of Manufacture of a Controlled Substance, 1 count of Conspiracy to Deliver a Controlled Substance and 3 counts of Criminal Use of a Communication Facility. All Felony Charges.

Throughout August and September of 2015 the Hazleton City Police Department Narcotics Division conducted an investigation involving the sale of illegal narcotics, specifically heroin, from Pedro Crespo in the City of Hazleton. Throughout the investigation, officers conducted controlled purchases on several occasions. Over 300 bags of heroin were purchased and seized throughout the investigation.


Search warrants were executed by the Narcotics Division and Special Operations Group at two Hazleton homes in September of 2015 but CRESPO fled the area and a Felony arrest warrant was issued. The Narcotics Unit has been tracking and attempting to locate CRESPO since the investigation. Hazleton City Narcotics Detectives continued to search for CRESPO since 2015 and were able to coordinate with the Westchester County District Attorney's Office along with FBI Safe Streets Task Force based out of NY.


Additional tips were gleaned as a result of a media article released this week which assisted in the investigation.


Crespo was located and taken into custody in Yonkers NY on the evening of January 17, 2019. Fugitive from Justice Charges are being completed in NY and arrangements are being made to extradite Crespo back to Luzerne County to face his charges.


“If you violate the law in our city by selling illegal drugs or any other crime we will vigorously pursue you and bring you back to face justice” Chief Speziale said on the arrest. “Our message should be clear, commit a crime in Hazleton and regardless where you go we will pursue you until you face your charges."