According to Police, around 6:45pm, a relative of Renee Scicchitano , age 30 of Kulpmont, reported to Ashland police that he received text messages from Scicchitano claiming that she was kidnapped and requesting that the relative gather $3,000 in ransom money and drop it off in Ashland at a location.
No further information was provided to police so they contacted the Schuylkill County communications center to assist in tracking several cell phones used to contact the relative. Police then gained additional information after identifying the owner of one of the phones and began canvassing the area for the missing female.
At 10:10pm; Ashland police conducted an undercover sting operation at 14th & Centre and at that time, Renee Scicchitano and an unidentified male were observed at that location.
Police officers then moved in and detained a male, whose identity is not being disclosed at this time, as well as Scicchitano.
Both subjects were questioned by police along with another individual who was identified through the course of the investigation.
Scicchitano was transported to the hospital for a medical evaluation and subsequently committed to Schuylkill County Prison on a bench warrant detainer issued by Northumberland County Adult Probation.
The investigation is continuing with an arrest expected and no further information is available at this time.
Ashland officers were assisted by Butler Township Police, Mt. Carmel Police, Frackville Police, Mahanoy township police. Ashland Police also credit the Schuylkill county Communications Center in assisting them with tracking the cell phones used during the incident.