FREELAND, LUZERNE COUNTY – A 24-year-old Hazleton man is behind bars on criminal homicide conspiracy charges after police say he drove the getaway car in a coordinated ambush outside a Freeland vape shop that left an 18-year-old dead and a 15-year-old wounded early Tuesday morning.

Edgar M. Polanco was arrested hours after the shooting when Pennsylvania State Police used the Flock camera network to track his white 2007 Honda Civic to his 17th Street residence in Hazleton. Magisterial District Judge Daniel O’Donnell denied bail Wednesday, calling Polanco a “threat to community at large.”

The shooter remains unidentified. Polanco claims he doesn’t know who was in his car.

Next Court Date: December 12, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – Preliminary Hearing, Luzerne County Courthouse

The Ambush

Security cameras from American Legion Post 473—located directly behind the Fly Monkey Vape Shop at 513 Centre Street—captured the attack in detail.

At approximately 2:10 a.m., the victims arrived at the vape shop in a Honda Odyssey. At the same moment, Polanco’s white Honda backed into position behind the Legion.

Footage shows Polanco on a gold cell phone while his passenger drew a firearm, exited, and ran toward the vape shop. Polanco stepped out and appeared to scan the area—still holding the phone.

Simultaneously, a group emerged from an apartment behind the vape shop and joined the armed passenger in an adjacent alley. They waited.

When 18-year-old Rafiel Sanz and 15-year-old Jonas De Jesus Rodriguez walked out of the vape shop, at least two individuals opened fire. Sanz was struck multiple times. Rodriguez took a round to the leg.

Both fled in the Odyssey. Sanz was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Rodriguez is expected to recover.

The shooters scattered—some into the apartment, others into Polanco’s Honda and a gray sedan. Shell casings littered Centre Street.

Freeland police arrived at 2:22 a.m. to find the scene abandoned and the victims gone.

The Flock Camera Break

The Hazle Township Fire Company was working a separate fire in Forest Hills Acres when the Honda Odyssey approached. The driver told firefighters he had gunshot victims inside.

Meanwhile, Hazleton City Police ran Polanco’s plates through the Flock automated license plate reader system. The white Honda had traveled south on Stockton Mountain Road minutes after the shooting.

State Police found the car parked outside Polanco’s residence. He was standing next to it.

During questioning, Polanco gave “several inconsistent stories.” He admitted driving and having a male passenger but claimed ignorance of the man’s identity.

Investigators didn’t buy it. The charge: conspiracy to commit criminal homicide.

Polanco’s Record: Six Years of Escalation

Court records reveal Polanco is no stranger to law enforcement across Luzerne and Berks counties.

Key Prior Cases:

• 2020: Fleeing or attempting to elude police (M2), transferred to Court of Common Pleas
• 2023: Possession of instrument of crime with intent (M1) and obstruction—both held for Court of Common Pleas
• September 2024: Guilty pleas in Berks County for exceeding 55 MPH by 41 MPH, careless driving, and refusing inspection
• May 2025: Guilty plea to driving with suspended/revoked license

The 2023 weapons charge stands out given Tuesday’s shooting.

Polanco has repeatedly driven without a license, insurance, or valid inspection. In one 2021 case, he pleaded guilty to six traffic violations on the same day. He still owes money on a May 2025 conviction.

There’s also an unpaid parking ticket from Freeland Borough sitting inactive on his record—the same town where he’s now accused of helping orchestrate a murder.

Who Pulled the Trigger?

State Police haven’t identified the shooter publicly. The complaint describes only a male passenger who drew a firearm from his right side before running into the alley.

Footage shows at least two individuals firing at the victims. None have been named.

The Troop N Major Case Team is leading the investigation alongside the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office. A spokesman declined to comment on whether additional arrests are expected.

What’s Next

Polanco faces first-degree felony criminal homicide—life in prison if convicted. He did not request a public defender at arraignment and remains in Luzerne County Correctional Facility.

Rodriguez is recovering. Sanz’s family is making funeral arrangements.

The person who killed him is still out there.

Case: MJ-11303-CR-0000245-2025

Incident: PA 2025-1494617

OTN: Q 1016372-0

Arresting Officer: Trooper Kenneth L. Santos, PSP Hazleton

Agencies: Pennsylvania State Police Troop N, Luzerne County DA, Hazleton City Police, Freeland Borough Police

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.