Man who kidnapped and terrorized couple gets 12 years behind bars

BLOOMSBURG -- A Berwick man who terrorized and robbed a retired couple in their country home was sentenced Tuesday to spend up to 12 years in state prison. The couple, Ralph and Cynthia Gitz, described how 29-year-old Harrison Karns III forced Mrs. Gitz to disrobe at knifepoint, and he threatened her husband with a claw hammer. "We felt absolute terror," they wrote in a statement to the court.

The PE Sneak Peek: Aug. 6

Here's a look at the stories that are keeping our reporters busy Tuesday: * Jail looms for a local veteran who kidnapped and robbed an older couple. See what the judge decided. * A man's spree of stealing scrap metal comes to an end, police say. Find out who the suspect is. * More trouble dogs an injured war vet after a traffic crash, officials say. * A man snorted meth and got behind the wheel, charges say. Learn how he caught the eye of police. Look for these stories and more in tomorrow's edition of the Press Enterprise.

Police chief files counter-PFA against abuse accuser

MILLVILLE -- Longtime Police Chief Ted Stout, off the job over abuse accusations made by a former girlfriend, filed a counter-claim against the woman. Tori Harrison, who lived with Stout and worked as his subordinate in Millville and a neighboring department, asked a court last month for a temporary protection-from-abuse order. As a result, Stout was forced to give up his guns and move to desk duty amid a State Police investigation.

The PE Sneak Peek — Aug. 2

Here's a look at the stories that are keeping our reporters busy Friday: * How embarrassing -- a prisoner pens a note to taunt jailers over his planned escape, then gets caught trying to make it out. Read our online report and look for more Saturday. * Family rallies around the suspect in a stabbing. Find out what her dad has to say. * A small town takes the next step against a police chief who allegedly beat his girlfriend. Get the details.

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