On Wednesday, March 6th, 2024, just before 9:00pm, Pottsville Police Units were dispatched to 301 West Arch Street for a report of a male sleeping in the neighbor's loft.
Further information from dispatch revealed caller could hear the male moving around.
Upon arrival along with assisting officers, Police located the suspect, later identified as Eric Wychunas, the caller's son, laying on the porch of 301 West Arch Street directly next to the apartment.
Upon arrival along with assisting officers, Police located the suspect, later identified as Eric Wychunas, the caller's son, laying on the porch of 301 West Arch Street directly next to the apartment.
Based on prior investigations by Police, it was known to them that Wychunas has been the defendant in a Protection from Abuse (PFA) order from his mother. Upon running Eric's information through County Dispatch, the PFA was confirmed.
When Wychunas was advised he was in violation of the PFA he attempted to leave.
When Wychunas was advised he was in violation of the PFA he attempted to leave.
As officers pursued him, he began to walk away while swinging a shopping bag containing his property at officers in an aggressive manner.
After throwing the bag, Wychunas took an aggressive stance and began swinging at officers with a closed fist.
Despite repeated commands to cease and desist Wychunas struck an officer in left side of her face and continued to physically resist officers while attempting to flee.
Officers deployed a Taser to gain compliance of Wychunas. Although Wychunas refused repeated and reasonable commands to get down on the ground officers eventually gained compliance of Wychunas to arrest and he was taken into custody.
Sgt. Truscott reviewed the protection from abuse order signed by the Honorable Judge Charles M. Miller from May 2023 which prohibits Eric from the premises of 301 West Arch Street. The order is in effect until May 24, 2025.
Based on the investigation, Sgt. Truscott charged Wychunas for Resisting Arrest (M2) and Persistent Disorderly Conduct (M3).
Sgt. Truscott reviewed the protection from abuse order signed by the Honorable Judge Charles M. Miller from May 2023 which prohibits Eric from the premises of 301 West Arch Street. The order is in effect until May 24, 2025.
Based on the investigation, Sgt. Truscott charged Wychunas for Resisting Arrest (M2) and Persistent Disorderly Conduct (M3).
On a separate criminal complaint, Eric Wychunas was charged with violating a Protection From Abuse Order.
Wychunas was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge James Reiley and remanded to the Schuylkill County Prison unable to post 10% of his $5,000 cash bail.