Theft/Property — Scranton, PA — reported 2026-06-30

SUMMARY

A Dunmore man broke into a Scranton residence and attacked the occupant before taking his ex-girlfriend and her daughter.

KEY FACTS

  • Incident type: Theft/Property
  • Location: Scranton, PA
  • Date reported: 2026-06-30
  • Suspect: male, age 24
  • Status: arrested

REPORTED DETAILS

  • James Melia, 24, entered a house in the 1300 block of Penn Avenue through a kitchen window at about 4 a.m.
  • Melia punched Colin Peffer in the face and took his cellphones
  • Melia threatened to kill Peffer if he didn't allow his ex-girlfriend and her daughter to leave with him
  • Police found Melia's ex-girlfriend and her daughter unharmed at a residence on Olga Street in Dickson City
  • Melia was arrested after police used K-9s to locate him