Scranton man charged with threatening police officers

WYOMING — A Scranton man reportedly intoxicated when found standing in the middle of Wyoming Avenue impeding traffic threatened and spat at police officers with the Wyoming Area Regional Police Department early Tuesday morning.

Thomas Leano, 51, of East Market Street, was observed standing in the middle of Wyoming Avenue at about 6:40 a.m., according to court records.

Motorists had to avoid striking Leano who allegedly refused officers’ commands to get out of the four-lane roadway.

Leano claimed he was waiting for a bus, court records say.

When an officer led Leano to a sidewalk, court records say, Leano became aggressive and threatened to harm the officers.

Leano initially refused to identify himself and spat at officers while yelling vulgar names, court records say.

Leano was arraigned by District Judge Joseph Carmody of West Pittston on three counts each of assault of a law enforcement officers, terroristic threats and harassment, and one count each of disorderly conduct and public drunkenness. Leano was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $5,000 bail.