According to Mahanoy City Police Chief Thomas Rentschler, on Wednesday morning, he received a report of two people staying inside a garage in the rear of 225 East Centre Street. The property did not belong to the two inside and they were not permitted to be there as well.
At the scene, Police found the door of the garage to be open and a man and woman inside with various drug paraphernalia laying around in plain sight.
The pair identified themselves as Tina Morgan, 50, and Eric Bettis, 45, both of Mahanoy City. They stated they had permission from a Shenandoah man to stay in the garage but when asked the man's name, they could not provide a name. They also told police they have been staying in the garage since the winter.
Both were taken into custody, and upon a search, led to find they were both in possession of heroin and methamphetamine, as well as various drug paraphernalia.
A search on their information led to the finding that Morgan had 3 active warrants for her arrest from Schuylkill, Luzerne, and Lehigh Counties.
Both were transported back to the police station for processing and secured to the holding bench.
While police completed paperwork, Morgan was able to free herself from her handcuffs and eventually walked out of the station. While she attempted to escape, Bettis remained quiet and didn't notify police.
As Morgan exited the station, East Union Township Police Officer Gallo was outside and seen her leaving. She attempted to run but was immediately taken into custody.
Both were charged by Chief Rentschler with burglary, criminal trespass, escape, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker arraigned both on Wednesday and locked them up in Schuylkill County Prison on $20,000 straight cash bail.