LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — A former Wilkes University student has been charged with threatening other students in Luzerne County and is now wanted by authorities.
Max Liebetrau, 22, of Kingston, was charged with making terroristic threats on March 30 on the Wilkes University campus. He was also charged with a burglary in Hanover Township on April 1.
"From our perspective, and a perspective of all law enforcement, and if I can take the liberty of speaking on behalf of Wilkes, it's very important that Liebetrau turn himself in, contact the authorities immediately," said Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce.
Court papers say Liebetrau is a former student of Wilkes University. On March 30, Liebetrau allegedly took advantage of his father's position as a professor to get a female student to meet with him inside the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center on campus. Liebetrau told her he would kill one of her male friends if that friend didn't "stay away from what is mine."
A couple of days later, Hanover Township police arrested Liebertau. They say he broke into the basement of a home and tried to steal clothes and a checkbook.
Liebertau is charged with terroristic threats and burglary. At a hearing last week, he was let go without having to post $100,000 bail. But prosecutors say Liebertau violated the conditions of his release in several ways, including failure to get court-ordered treatment.
"So a warrant was issued for his arrest. We will now take certain steps. There are Luzerne County detectives to locate him and bring him into custody. He's sending some disturbing text messages. There's nothing with any action involved. But certainly, just in this state of that we're in with the university, students are a little on edge, and just without knowing his whereabouts, there's concern," said Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney Carly Levandoski.
Wilkes University is ramping up security, requiring an ID to enter all university buildings, and there is a heightened police presence throughout campus.
Liebetrau did not show up for a bail revocation hearing Wednesday afternoon, so an arrest warrant for him was issued.
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