Full Breakdown
Homeless Man Arrested After Naked Run Claiming Rodent Attack
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
Wilkes-Barre Township police responded to a report of a man running naked through the Wilkes Plaza strip mall. The individual, identified as 33-year-old Kevin Stanley Carsto, told officers that rodents were attacking him. Police observed him becoming combative with officers and medics and later discovered a small purse containing methamphetamine. He was subsequently charged with indecent exposure, open lew dness, disorderly conduct, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Police Account
According to the department’s report, officers found Carsto in a state of undress and noted his claim of a rodent assault. The police narrative states that the methamphetamine was recovered from a “murse” – a term the department used to describe a man’s purse. The department’s account forms the basis for the five criminal charges filed against him.
Legal Proceedings
Carsto was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Rick Cronauer in mid-September. The judge set bail at $5,000, which Carsto was unable to post, resulting in his detention at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for late September in Luzerne County Central Court.
Context and Implications
The case highlights intersecting issues of homelessness, public safety, and substance-use enforcement in the region. Law-enforcement officials emphasized the seriousness of public indecency and drug possession, while the incident raises questions about how mental-health and housing services address individuals experiencing extreme distress. The bail amount and the array of charges illustrate the judicial system’s response to combined public-order and drug-related offenses.
