Police: Former Ringtown man resisted arrest, tried to swallow ‘large amount of methamphetamine’
ASHLAND – A former Ringtown man now living in Hagerstown, Maryland, is accused of resisting arrest, attempting to swallow a large amount of drugs, and injuring a police officer earlier this month.
Patrolman Daniel Weikel filed charges Wednesday against Brian Stravinsky, 38, 124 E. Baltimore Street, for felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor resisting arrest and evidence tampering, among other charges.
According to court documents, police responded to the Dollar General around 6:30pm for a reported disturbance.
Management at the dollar store reported a Black man, whose Maryland-plated vehicle was broken down in the parking lot, was harassing female customers and employees and using vulgar and inappropriate language towards them.
The man, Maureko Robinson, 11152 Potts Road, Worton, Maryland, was questioned by Weikel.
Butler Township Police Chief Daniel Holderman arrived on scene and began speaking with Robinson and Stravinsky, who was working on Robinson’s car.
Robinson was advised that state troopers were on the way to the store to question him about another incident.
Weikel and Holderman performed pat-down searches on Robinson and Stravinsky respectively, at which point Stravinsky pulled away.
Holderman grabbed Stravinsky and brought him to the ground. Stravinsky attempted to flee the scene, police said.
Back-up units were requested and Weikel secured Robinson before assisting Holderman.
Holderman told Weikel that Stravinsky had a rock-like substance in his front pocket that he’d attempted to swallow, and may have still had in his mouth.
Stravinsky was brought under control and handcuffed. When he was picked up off the ground, a large quantity of a crystal rock-like substance was found under him.
Medical personnel from the Washington Hose Co. were called to evaluate Stravinsky since police believed he’d just ingested a large amount of suspected methamphetamine.
Stravinsky was then taken into custody on a Schuylkill County bench warrant and transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital – Schuylkill, Pottsville, for further evaluation prior to incarceration at Schuylkill County Prison.
Robinson’s vehicle was impounded and he was lodged at the Budget Inn in Frackville for the night.
Holderman suffered a hand injury as a result of the incident.
Stravinsky was charged with felony aggravated assault, simple assault, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance, tampering with evidence, disorderly conduct, and harassment.
He was committed to Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post $150,000 bail.
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