Ashland Police took a man that was wanted on two warrants into custody on Sunday after he was found in a vacant home in the borough on Sunday.According to police, on Sunday, April 12th, 2020, Ashland Police Officer Daniel Weikel was dispatched to a residence in the 100 Block of Chestnut Street for an EMS call. Michael Bechtel, 28, who is believed to be homeless was found unconscious in the bedroom of a vacant home .
A small fire was also found inside a roasting pot within the home.
Bechtel was treated and released by EMS, then taken into custody by Officer Weikel on two active warrants.
The warrants were related to two previous incidents.
The first incident occurred on February 22nd, 2020 in the 400 Block of Centre Street. Officer Krape had charged Bechtel with criminal trespass after he entered the home through an upstairs window in the rear of the home. When police had been called to the home, he fled the residence.
The second incident occurred on March 14th, 2020 when Officer Weikel was dispatched to a residence in the 300 Block of Centre Street. Bechtel was observed inside the vacant residence through an upstairs windows. When police arrived, Bechtel had fled the residence again.
After being taken into custody on Sunday by Officer Weikel, Bechtel was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Christina Hale, Frackville who locked him up in Schuylkill County Prison on $50,000 Straight Cash Bail.
Additional charges will be filed for the April 12th, 2020 incident.