According to Pottsville Police Chief Richard Wojciechowsky, on Tuesday April 19, 2022 around 4:45pm, Pottsville Police were dispatched to the 600 block of John O’Hara Street for a threat involving a handgun.
Upon police arrival, the juvenile male suspect and another young male and female were no longer on scene.
A resident in that area reported the main suspect was banging on her door looking for another juvenile and was eventually allowed entry into her residence to prove to him that the person he was looking for was not there.
A resident in that area reported the main suspect was banging on her door looking for another juvenile and was eventually allowed entry into her residence to prove to him that the person he was looking for was not there.
Once inside, the juvenile suspect pulled what the occupants of the home described as a black semi-automatic handgun from his waistband and threatened those present. After a brief encounter, the juvenile male fled the residence.
Video surveillance obtained by police showed the juvenile brandishing what appeared to be a black handgun before returning it to his waistband and fleeing the area on foot with the two other people involved. Attempts to locate the juvenile on Tuesday were unsuccessful.
The following day, Pottsville Police continued the investigation and learned that the male juvenile suspect with the weapon was a Frederick, Maryland resident who was visiting family in Pottsville.
Video surveillance obtained by police showed the juvenile brandishing what appeared to be a black handgun before returning it to his waistband and fleeing the area on foot with the two other people involved. Attempts to locate the juvenile on Tuesday were unsuccessful.
The following day, Pottsville Police continued the investigation and learned that the male juvenile suspect with the weapon was a Frederick, Maryland resident who was visiting family in Pottsville.
An address was obtained for the juvenile’s family and investigators were able to locate the juvenile and recover a black CO2 powered bb gun designed to look like a popular brand semi-automatic handgun.
The juvenile was taken into custody and a Juvenile Allegation was prepared charging him with Simple Assault, Terroristic Threats, and Persistent Disorderly Conduct.
Schuylkill County Juvenile Probation officers were contacted, and they then took custody of the juvenile offender pending detention and adjudication hearings.