According to court documents, a trooper from PSP Frackville was traveling southbound on Interstate 81 in Kline Township on Sunday, August 31, when the cruiser’s license plate reader alerted to a possible stolen vehicle.
The alert involved a white Dodge Caravan displaying a New Jersey registration plate. A records check reportedly showed that the plate had been entered into the National Crime Information Center as stolen by the Edison Police Department in New Jersey.
Police said the vehicle had previously been sold, but the plates were not returned to the former owner. The database entry alleged that the plates were being used to fraudulently travel through tolling locations.
The trooper stopped the Caravan near mile marker 138.1 and identified the driver as 33-year-old Gregg Hedrington of Hazleton.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Hedrington told police that he purchased the vehicle from his girlfriend but had not registered it in his name. Police allege he kept a registration plate belonging to another person.
Hedrington also allegedly told the trooper that he knew the plate had been reported stolen because he had previously been arrested for using it in July 2025.
A dispatcher contacted Edison Police through law enforcement databases and confirmed that the plate remained listed as stolen, according to the affidavit.
Hedrington was taken into custody and transported to PSP Frackville for processing before being released. Police said the Caravan was towed to the state police impound lot, while the registration plate was seized as evidence.
Hedrington is charged with receiving stolen property, a third-degree misdemeanor, and a summary count of driving while suspended for certain other offenses.
The case was filed on September 3 before Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli.