According to court documents, the Saint Clair Borough Police Department was on patrol around 11:39 p.m. on March 10, 2026, traveling eastbound on Hancock Street at Morris Street when the officer observed a white Ford van traveling westbound. As the vehicle passed the patrol unit, the officer reportedly heard what sounded like a modified or leaking exhaust producing excessive noise.
Police say the van immediately turned at the next available intersection after passing the patrol vehicle. Due to the loud exhaust and the vehicle’s movements, the officer began following the van and ran the Pennsylvania dealer registration plate. A check through PennDOT reportedly showed the registration had expired on September 29, 2025, and the status was listed as a “dead tag.”
The officer then observed the van making what were described as evasive driving maneuvers, including multiple turns and activating turn signals shortly before turning. A traffic stop was initiated.
The driver was identified as Charles Bernardo Audkaitis, 36, of Frackville. According to police, Audkaitis acknowledged the exhaust leak but stated he did not have a driver’s license or vehicle documentation, claiming the van belonged to a friend.
A VIN check of the vehicle reportedly revealed it had been reported stolen out of Mount Carmel, Northumberland County.
Further investigation showed Audkaitis had an active warrant from the State of Wisconsin for terrorist threats, according to the affidavit.
Audkaitis was detained and read his Miranda warnings, which he reportedly waived before speaking with police. He initially told officers he received the vehicle from a friend but refused to provide the name or location. He later told police he was “test driving” the vehicle and considering purchasing it after picking it up from what he described as a garage.
Schuylkill County Communications confirmed both the active warrant and that the vehicle had been reported stolen by the Mount Carmel Police Department.
During a search incident to arrest, officers reportedly located several items, including:
- Approximately 4.2 grams of a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine
- Multiple pills suspected to be alprazolam and clonazepam
- Drug paraphernalia, including straws used for ingesting substances
- A digital scale with white residue
- Multiple unused plastic baggies
- A grinder emitting the odor of marijuana
- A razor blade and mirror with residue
Audkaitis was charged with:
- Receiving Stolen Property (Felony 3)
- Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver (Felony)
- Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle
- Multiple counts of possession of a controlled substance
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Driving an unregistered vehicle
- Failure to maintain financial responsibility
- Purchase/Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor
Audkaitis was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Stephen Bayer and committed to Schuylkill County Prison on $100,000 straight cash bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 24, 2026, before Magisterial District Judge Edward M. Lewis in Port Carbon.