A Frackville man is locked up in Schuylkill County Prison after an incident at the Motel 6 in West Mahanoy Township.
On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, the Pennsylvania State Police at Frackville responded to a reported robbery at the Motel 6 on Altamont Boulevard near Frackville. According to the criminal complaint, the incident unfolded around 3:00 p.m. when Matthew Hunt, an employee at the motel, called authorities to report an attack by his ex-boyfriend, Colton Troup, 25, of Frackville.
Shortly after, at approximately 3:15 p.m., the Frackville Barracks received a second call, this time from Troup, who accused Hunt of stealing his property, including clothing and his aunt's memorial plaque.
Troopers arrived at the Motel 6, where they interviewed Hunt and reviewed surveillance footage that captured the entire incident.
Hunt stated that while he was in the motel's laundry room, Troup entered and began assaulting him. Troup allegedly reached into Hunt's pockets during the altercation, stealing Hunt's vehicle keys, and made threats to kill him. Troup then fled through a back door and proceeded to damage Hunt's vehicle with a hammer before fleeing the area.
Hunt reported that Troup had been harassing him for several weeks, including a prior incident where Troup allegedly slashed Hunt's tires.
Troup was located and apprehended by troopers in the borough of Frackville, found in possession of a metal throwing star. Both Hunt and Troup were taken to the Frackville Barracks for further questioning.
During the interview, Troup refused to answer questions but insisted he only wanted his belongings back from Hunt, who denied having any of Troup's items.
As a result of the investigation, Trooper Zachary McDonald charged Colton Troup with robbery, terroristic threats, possession of an offensive weapon, criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking, and harassment.
Troup was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker on the above charges and locked up in Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $25,000 straight cash bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 3rd, 2024 before Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli.