An Ashland man is locked up in Schuylkill County Prison after he resisted arrest last week.
According to Ashland Police Chief Ger Daley, on Thursday, July 14th, 2022, just after 8:30am, he was called to 1913 Race Street in the borough. A male had called 911 asking for state police to come to his home.
When Chief Daley arrived on scene, a male, later identified as Michael Benz, 52, of Ashland, came outside yelling and cursing the Chief telling him to get off his property, even though Benz was the one who called police in the first place.
After swinging a crutch at the officer twice, and multiple orders to comply, Chief Daley deployed his taser, which Benz immediately ripped from his body.
Benz began to fight with Chief Daley as he attempted to take him into custody. The fight lasted several minutes until Butler Township Chief of Police Holderman and Officer Hand arrived to help take Benz into custody.
Benz was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, and resisting arrest. Judge Tarantelli locked Benz up in Schuylkill County Prison on $50,000 straight cash bail.
Benz is also currently on probation for aggravated assault in Montgomery County when he attacked 2 State Troopers in 2019.