Trespass case leads to gun, drug charges

What started out as a trespassing case ended up including the use of a Taser, the confiscation of a handgun and multiple criminal charges for a Tamaqua man on June 26.

Tamaqua police were on patrol at 3:23 a.m. when an officer saw a man near the swing set at the Tamaqua Elementary School on Boyle Avenue. The man was carrying a flashlight and told the officer he "was looking for worms." Clearly visible was a silver pocket knife hanging from the man's pocket. Also visible in the area were no trespassing signs.

When asked for his name the man lied and gave a false identity. He didn't know the officer was aware that his true identity was Matthew R. Bachman, 30, of 305 Washington St., thanks to an active warrant for his arrest.

Bachman kept reaching into his right front pants pocket, despite the officer's warnings to keep his hands visible.

When told he was being arrested, Bachman ran. He refused orders to stop and ignored the officer's warning about using his Taser. While the officer was using the Taser, Bachman kept trying to get up and reach into his pocket. The officer tried to keep him on the ground and came into contact with the Taser lines, giving himself a shock.

Once the situation was under control Bachman was searched. His right pocket contained a Titan .25 caliber handgun with a magazine containing seven bullets. A wallet he tossed aside held a bag filled with a white crystal substance, four empty blue baggies, and an orange bag containing hydrocodone. He also had a scale, a razor blade, a cut straw and three Zippo lighters in his possession.

Bachman refused medical treatment and was taken to the Schuylkill County prison in Pottsville on the warrant.

The new charges against Bachman include carrying a concealed weapon without a license, possession of a weapon on school grounds, hindering apprehension, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, providing false identification to law enforcement, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance and defiant trespass.