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First Posted: 3/20/2008

EDWARD LEWIS

[email protected]

WILKES-BARRE – Police Wednesday arrested a man suspected of threatening to turn a sports tavern and pizzeria into a drug haven unless he was paid $500 a week.
Egerton C. Wood, 31, of Arch Street, Wilkes-Barre, was charged with robbery and terroristic threats after the early morning arrest. He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $15,000 bail.
Police said Wood entered the Pitcher’s Mound Pub and Pizzeria on Blackman Street and threatened bartender George Castiglia.
Castiglia told police Wood demanded $500 a week or he was going to begin selling illegal drugs at the tavern. Wood also threatened to harm Castiglia and his family, police said.
“The guy (Wood) came in and said he was going to conduct business in the area and this is the way it’s going to be,” Pitcher’s Mound owner Charles Decker said. “There were 20 to 25 regulars in there when he came in the first time. We threw him out but he said, ‘You didn’t see the last of me.’ ”
According to the criminal complaint:
Wood re-entered the tavern around closing time and sat at a table with Castiglia. He repeated his threats telling Castiglia that “he had his people” at Castiglia’s house.
Castiglia gave Wood $382, but Wood wanted more money.
When Wood left, police were summoned to the tavern.
Wood was arrested at his house. He told police Castiglia owed him money for construction work.
Castiglia told police he believed Wood was hiding a weapon under his shirt, the criminal complaint says. Police said no weapon was shown during the incident.
“(Wood) just showed up and said we’re taking over the area, he was screaming and yelling,” Decker said.
Decker said he doesn’t know Wood and had not seen him in his tavern.
Decker purchased the Blackman Street building and turned it into a pub and restaurant about four years ago.
“It’s a safe, clean business with a full menu,” Decker said. “We don’t need this trouble.”

Edward Lewis, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7196.