Shenandoah man wanted on felony charges, accused of threatening coworkers with a gun
TREMONT TOWNSHIP – A former West Coal Street man is wanted on felony aggravated assault charges after state troopers say he threatened a group of his co-workers after a shift at the Big Lots Distribution Center earlier this year.
Jimmy Rodriguez Ocasio, 20, formerly of 227 West Coal Street, was charged Thursday by Trooper Jordan Bechtel of the State Police at Schuylkill Haven.
According to the criminal complaint filed in Magisterial District Judge David Rossi’s Tremont courtroom, the incident happened in the early morning hours of Jan. 3.
Troopers were called to meet with the victims in Ashland. They said the incident had happened on Route 209 near Rausch Creek Road, near the Big Lots Distribution Center.
The victims said they got off work around 2am and carpool to and from work. When they reached Route 209, a white Honda sedan followed them then pulled in front of them, forcing them onto the shoulder. They recognized the vehicle as that of a co-worker’s.
Rodriguez Ocasio exited the vehicle with his wife, Samantha Rodriguez, and a verbal argument over work-related gossip ensued.
Rodriguez Ocasio then pulled a handgun and pointed it aimlessly at the carpool. No one was injured, but the victims said they feared for their lives.
He then got back in his car and left in an unknown direction.
Later that day, troopers from Schuylkill Haven and Frackville canvassed Rodriguez Ocasio’s Shenandoah home. The Schuylkill Haven troopers requested assistance from Frackville as the man has a criminal history including aggravated assault and firearms charges.
His vehicle was seen in the area and they made contact with the man, who spoke to troopers, saying that he and his wife work the same shift at Big Lots. He told troopers he already knew why they were there and agreed to speak about the incident.
Rodriguez Ocasio said one of the victims is known as a “complainer” in the workplace who would spread gossip. When his wife heard gossip about him that was believed to have been from the victim, he decided to confront the victim after work.
The couple waited in the car until the carpool had left the facility and then the altercation ensued. He said he was not sure what Samantha Rodriguez and the victim had said, saying they were both yelling. He said he doesn’t have any firearms and denied a firearm being involved in the altercation at first.
He then said that the two men involved in the carpool both had firearms and that they were not wielded and that none were aimed.
Borough Police were called to Rodriguez Ocasio’s former apartment when the landlord, who was cleaning the residence, found a firearm belonging to the man. It was discovered to be an airsoft replica.
Rodriguez Ocasio is facing several counts each of felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor terroristic threats, reckless endangerment, simple assault, disorderly conduct, and summary harassment.
An arrest warrant has been issued.
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