On Thursday, around 5:20pm, East Union Township Police received a dispatch from the Schuylkill Communications Center requesting a response to 18 East Market Street, in the Village of Sheppton, for a report of a dirt bike driving erratically that had parked at the residence.
Upon arriving at the residence, Patrolman Matthew Williams made contact with Juan Rivera-Lugo and his girlfriend, Amanda Rivera who were sitting in the backyard with a group of people. Williams asked Rivera-Lugo and Rivera who was riding the dirt bike since several complaints were received. Rivera-Lugo replied that he did not know who was riding the dirt bike.
Williams warned Rivera-Lugo about several other complaints that were received about him, then Williams began walk toward Shepp Street to try and locate the dirt bike in the rear of the property.
While walking towards Shepp Street, Rivera-Lugo began to yell profanities at Patrolman Williams then began yelling louder from a porch on the property so the entire neighborhood would hear.
Patrolman Williams warned Rivera-Lugo that if he did not quiet down, he would be charged with disorderly conduct.
Rivera-Lugo refused and proceeded to bait Patrolman Williams into arresting him.
After a few more warnings, Rivera-Lugo then walked into the residence and emerged with a gun and threatened Patrolman Williams. Patrolman then walked toward him to take Rivera-Lugo into custody.
As Patrolman Williams entered the front gate, Rivera and another adult male identified as Manuel Meijia started to physically obstruct Williams from taking Rivera-Lugo into custody.
Patrolman Williams drew his taser but when he made his way to the front door, Rivera-Lugo made motion that he was carrying a gun.
Meijia and Rivera attempted to obstruct Patrolman Williams from entering the residence which led to Williams using his taser on Rivera to gain her compliance. At this point, Meijia and River were ordered to the living room floor by Williams. Rivera-Lugo was still in the kitchen area of the home but could not be seen.
At this time, Williams called for back up from other Schuylkill County units.
After police units from Mahanoy City, Shenandoah, Frackville, Mahanoy Township, and the Pennsylvania State Police from Frackville responded, Rivera and Meija were taken into custody and Rivera-Lugo was taken into custody without further incident from the kitchen.
Rivera-Lugo was charged with making terroristic threats, resisting arrest, persistent disorderly conduct, obstructing or impeding the administration of justice by picketing, possessing instruments of crime, committed to Schuylkill County Prison on $50,000 straight cash bail by Magisterial District Judge Plachko.
Rivera and Meija face charges of obstruction of justice and resisting arrest.
Hazleton and West Hazleton Police also assisted at the scene.
Photos from Hazleton News 1