Man Facing Robbery Charges
The caller to 911 provided a suspect description of a white male in his 30’s wearing jeans and a red coat.
Upon arrival in the 500 Blk. Of E. Norwegian Street Patrolman Michael Stank observed a person matching the description and made contact with him at which time he was identified as Christopher Michael Tobias, 30, of 511 E. Market Street, Pottsville).
While Stank was speaking with Tobias the 20 year old male victim – also from Pottsville- identified Tobias as the actor.
He told police that he had been walking along Claude A Lord Blvd. carrying a coffee and hot chocolate from Dunkin Donuts when Tobias approached him and asked for one of his drinks and a cigarette.
After the male victim told Tobias he did not smoke and that Tobias could not have one of the drinks, Tobias became angry and started to verbally harass the man while walking behind him. In the area of the A-Plus store located at Route 61 and East Norwegian Street, Tobias physically impeded the man’s path of travel and demanded the victim give him not only one of the drinks but also the headphones he was wearing.
The man was able to flee the area on foot and enter into his residence while Tobias was chasing behind him.
Tobias was taken into custody and admitted to the crime and to being under the influence of numerous illegal drugs.
While in police custody Tobias attempted to physically resist being placed in a cellblock.
Stank completed a criminal complaint charging Tobias with Felony Attempted Robbery, Disorderly Conduct and Public Drunkenness. Tobias was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Reiley during which time he created substantial disruptions in the court by being uncooperative and screaming at the judge.
Bail was set at $20,000 and Tobias refused to cooperate with officers transporting him from the magistrate’s office to the prison, causing officers to physically carry him from the office to the car.
At the Schuylkill County Prison Tobias continued these actions and had to be carried into the prison by multiple corrections officers.