Tamaqua police have charged a man after they say he assaulted an officer while in custody following a crash in the borough.
Muhammad Husain Abdul-Wakil, 41, of Elkins Park, has been charged with 6 felony counts of aggravated assault, 2 felony counts of assaulting a police officer, a felony count of escape, 4 misdemeanor counts of simple assault, 2 misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest, and a misdemeanor count each of institutional vandalism, criminal mischief, and defiant trespass.
According to court documents, on December 7th, 2024, Tamaqua officers Phoenix J. Ritchie and Devin Dellock were dispatched around 2:00am. after an iPhone crash detection alert reported an accident. At the scene, police found a Ford Explorer that had crashed through a chain link fence and struck a tree.
Abdul-Wakil, standing outside the vehicle, appeared visually impaired and had slurred speech when approached by officers, police said. Officer Dellock noticed a knife holstered in the man's waistband and asked Abdul-Wakil if he had any weapons. The defendant denied having any.
When instructed to place his hand on his head so Dellock could remove the knife, Abdul-Wakil allegedly pulled away and attempted to reach toward his waistband. Dellock then attempted to handcuff the man while officers investigated the vehicle.
Abdul-Wakil was taken to St. Luke’s Miners Hospital in Coaldale for a chemical blood test. Police later took him to the Tamaqua station to sober up before safely releasing him.
At the station, Abdul-Wakil refused to comply with officers’ commands and engaged in a physical altercation with Dellock, police said. During the scuffle, Abdul-Wakil allegedly struck Dellock in the back of the head while attempting to flee and caused damage to borough and police property. Officers from neighboring departments were called to assist in placing Abdul-Wakil into custody.
Abdul-Wakil was arraigned on the above charges and locked up in Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail.
Abdul-Wakil was released on December 13th, 2024 after posting bail through a professional bondsman.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday before District Judge Stephen J. Bayer in Tamaqua.