Pottsville Police Apprehend Knife Wielding Man on Drug Charges

Pottsville Police apprehended a knife wielding man on drug charges on Tuesday afternoon.

According to Pottsville Police, on Tuesday, November 14th, 2023, around 3:15pm, Patrolman Delinko was dispatched to the area of North Centre Street and West Arch Street for a report of a shirtless male wielding a knife. Additional information provided was that the male was now in the area of North 2nd Street and Laurel Boulevard.

After arriving in the area, Patrolman Delinko observed the shirtless male and confirmed it to be 46-year-old Cory Ratliff. Police made contact with Ratliff and took possession of a large knife that was later measured to be approximately 11 inches in length from the bottom of the handle to the top of the blade.

While speaking with Ratliff, he appeared to have an unsteady gate and not speaking rationally. Ratliff stated that he took his "medicine" and elaborated that his "medicine" was smoking Synthetic Marijuana. 

During a search incident to arrest and also a search granted with Ratliff's consent, a resealable baggie containing a crystal substance which field tested and showed a positive presence of Methamphetamine.

Due to Ratliff not having a known address, a criminal complaint was completed and requested a warrant of arrest. He was charged with one count of Possession of Controlled Substance, one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, one count of Disorderly Conduct, and one count of Public Drunkenness. 

Ratliff was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Andrew Serina and bail was set at $3,000 - 10%, which was not able to be posted.  Ratliff was remanded to the Schuylkill County Prison.