Peach Whiskey caper, Walmart shoplifter fights with cop and more

Peach Whisky caper

CLARKS SUMMIT, PA — A clerk at a state liquor store is accused of creating a peach whisky shortage and then profiting from it.

Pennsylvania State Police say Kristen Allyn Lachovicz, 29, purchased $1,058.55 worth of Crown Royal Peach Whisky—the entire delivery—in cash on the day it was delivered to the store on July 30,
Police say that because of high demand, the product quickly sold out in all of Lackawanna County state liquor stores.

Police say that Lachovicz, while working as a clerk at the liquor store, sold two of her bottles to a customer on August 20 for $80 each, while the price she paid for them was $26.99.

Lachovicz was charged with a felony count of violating restrictions on members of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and related charges.

Walmart suspect fights cop

MONTICELLO, NY — On Wednesday September 25, at about 11:20 a.m., the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a subject in the Monticello Walmart who was cutting security tags off of merchandise.

Maurice Mitchell, 30, of New Windsor, NY, was spotted by store security attempting to steal a home cinema system and a personal computer. Mitchell waited until the greeter at the front door of the store was distracted and then tried to run out with the items. He was intercepted on the sidewalk by Sheriff’s Deputy Connor Alvarez.

When the deputy attempted to stop the suspect, he fought with the deputy and “violently resisted arrest,” according to police. Walmart security officer Daniel King saw the commotion, came to the deputy’s aid and called for help on the deputy’s radio. Nearby units heard the call for assistance and responded to the scene where, with the help of other civilians, the suspect was taken into custody. Mobile Medic ambulance responded to the scene and treated the deputy for abrasions to his head, face and hands.

Maurice Mitchell was charged with felony assault on a police officer, grand larceny and a misdemeanor, resisting arrest. He was arraigned before Town of Thompson Judge Martin Miller and sent to the Sullivan County Jail in lieu of $40,000 bail pending a future court date.

Sheriff Mike Schiff praised Walmart security officer Daniel King for his assistance at the scene.
“Mr. King did an outstanding job,” said Schiff. “Instead of just standing by and watching as the deputy was assaulted, he rendered the appropriate assistance to protect the deputy and take the suspect into custody.”

Dollar General in Greeley to open

GREELEY, PA — The Dollar General at 102 Well Rd. in Greeley is now open. There will be an official grand opening on Saturday, October 5 at 8 a.m.
A press release from the organization says “the first 50 adult shoppers at the store will receive a $10 Dollar General gift card and the first 200 shoppers will receive a Dollar General tote bag with product samples.

“Dollar General is committed to delivering a pleasant shopping experience that includes a convenient location, a wide assortment of merchandise and great prices on quality products,” said Dan Nieser, Dollar General’s senior vice president of real estate and store development.

There are currently some 15,000 Dollar General retail outlets in the United States, with the typical store employing about six people.

Dollar General is one of the most profitable stores in the rural United States. Its revenue this year is more than $25 billion, according to Market Watch.

Thompson Dems honor Briggs

MONTICELLO, NY — The Town of Thompson Democratic Committee honored retiring 16-year town councilman Peter Briggs at a buffet dinner on September 26 at Albella in Monticello. County and town candidates, officials and friends talked about their many memories of Briggs, who is also a longtime member of the Town of Thompson Democratic Committee.

Committee member Al Dumas received the Liberty Medal from Sen. Jen Metzger for rescuing a man from a burning vehicle on Route 17B on July 13. The Liberty Medal is one of the highest civilian honors a New Yorker can receive. The award is given to individuals who have merited special commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts and achievements on behalf of their fellow New Yorkers. Dumas, a Monticello firefighter, also received a citation from Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther.