Luzerne Co. man faces multiple charges in Carbon
A West Hazleton man faces multiple charges after speeding past a state trooper in an unmarked vehicle in Packer Township Sunday morning, police said.
Joseph D. Urena-Pichardo, 26, of East Broad Street, was arraigned on charges of two felony counts of forgery, false identification to law enforcement, driving under the influence, driving while operating privilege suspended or revoked, driving with a license and several traffic violations.
District Judge Joseph Homanko set bail at $75,000, and Urena-Pichardo was committed to the Carbon County Correctional Facility in Nesquehoning.
According to court papers, Urena-Pichardo passed a line of cars, including a state trooper, doing 88 mph in a 55 mph zone. The trooper pursued and pulled him over.
Urena-Pichardo admitted to speeding, arrest papers said, and told the trooper that he was late for work.
Urena-Pichardo was not wearing his seatbelt properly, did not have a driver’s license and gave the name, Joseph Urena. The trooper also noticed a strong odor of alcohol, according to court papers.
Urena-Pichardo showed signs of impairment during field sobriety tests and a breath test indicated the presence of alcohol, court papers said.
He was placed under arrest and taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton for a blood alcohol content test, but he refused the draw.
Troopers found no driver’s license or identification for Joseph Urena, and he was again asked his name and date of birth, and said his name was Joseph Domingo Urena-Pichardo, which was different than what he initially provided.
Troopers also found a permanent resident card and a Social Security card issued to a Luis Manuel Ayala Romero, which is also a different name than provided to officers, arrest papers said.
Urena-Pichardo told troopers that he purchased the cards for $200 from a woman in Hazleton so that he could get a job in the United States while he awaited citizenship.