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Son of Charged Wilkes-Barre Bar Owner Patte Narrowly Misses Reporter
Son of Charged Wilkes-Barre Bar Owner Patte Narrowly Misses Reporter - Friday, February 19, 2010 at 10:24PM EST
Reported by: WBRE Eyewitness News
Friday, Feb 19, 2010 @ 10:24pm EST
Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County- The feds filed paperwork Friday to seize Patte's Sportsbar and related property, a week after the owner was charged with running a gambling operation there.
We were there Friday evening to talk with customers.
That's when, at 6:20 p. m., the bar owner's son came within inches of striking our reporter.
Joe Holden said he was speaking to a customer on the way into the business when a 2002 black Chevy Tahoe sped around the block, down Hollenback Avenue before parking outside the bar.
Holden said he quickly stepped onto the sidewalk to avoid being hit.
A Times Leader reporter said of the incident, "He almost hit you."
We called 9-1-1. Three Wilkes-Barre police officers showed up and took statements from Holden and Jennifer Markini, the reporter for the Times Leader. Police said the black Tahoe was registered to Patrick Patte, 3d, son of Patte's Sportsbar owner Patrick Patte, Jr.. Patte, the son, was driving the SUV, police confirmed. His father was charged last week with running gambling operations out of the bar. Late Friday, the U. S. Attorneys office filed an order to seize the business and property.
After a few minutes inside the bar with police, officers asked that Holden accept Patte's invitation to speak and try to resolve the situation. Holden agreed. Patte asked our cameras to remain outside, and said, "I honestly didn't mean anything by it. I honestly slipped. I'm trying to come here and do the payroll and stuff because I'm late. I was stuck at school...." "...I apologize."
Patte, the principal of G. A.R. High School in Wilkes-Barre, blamed the situation on ice.
Bu when he exited his vehicle, all he told us was, "That's customer parking. You'll have to move your car."
Police said they're preparing a report on the incident.
The bar is still open even though the forfeiture action was filed.
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