Belleville man charged in fireworks incident

Police say pyrotechnics display caused accident, violated ordinance

BELLEVILLE -- A Belleville man faces reckless endangerment and other charges stemming from a pair of related incidents that occurred the evening of July 3.

Renato "Richie" Picciuro, 58, was charged by Mifflin County Regional Police for setting off fireworks both in close proximity to a grouping of above-ground propane tanks, and in such a way that it caused an operator of a horse and buggy to lose control, leading to injury.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, officers began to investigate the display of aerial fireworks, believed to be coming from the western side of Belleville. As officers approached, court documents state, they were dispatched to a vehicle accident nearby.

The fireworks, police say, caused the horse drawing a buggy operated by a 17-year-old to be "spooked," which led to the teen being injured. While first responders and others attempted to gain control of the horse, police went to the area from which the fireworks were being launched, according to the affidavit. There, police say, they found Picciuro, and asked him to stop setting off the fireworks.

Police then asked Picciuro if he had a permit for the fireworks, at which time he said he was denied a permit, court documents state.

Witnesses told police the horse traveled off the roadway, striking a tree, flipping and going down an embankment, the affidavit states. The teen was transported to Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital for treatment.

Officers then returned to the area where the fireworks were being launched, noting a large amount of debris from the fireworks, court documents state. According to the report, officers noted seven 1,000-gallon propane tanks nearby, and measured the distance as being 182 feet from the point where the fireworks were launched. Police also state that a structure owned by IPB Hatchery was damaged by fireworks.

Picciuro faces one count each of recklessly endangering another person, criminal mischief, scattering rubbish and a violation of the Union Township fireworks ordinance.