Police: Man took LSD, meth, pot, threw rocks at cars

A Northampton man is facing charges following incidents along Route 248 eastbound in Palmerton on Sunday morning.

State police at Lehighton said troopers were dispatched at 6:49 a.m. to a report of an unidentified man throwing rocks and laying down on Route 248 eastbound at the Palmerton exit.

Troopers reported a woman was driving eastbound when she observed a man waving his arms wildly. She initially thought that the man needed help but as she slowed down he threw a rock at her vehicle causing damages. She then continued on and called 9-1-1.

Palmerton patrolmen Timothy Kromer, Mike Altorfer and Trooper Gary Fedor were already on scene when Trooper Eddie Ortiz arrived. They had the suspect, identified as Ryan Christopher Zelina, 31, of Mangrove Drive, in custody in the back seat of a Palmerton police cruiser.

The Palmerton officers said when they arrived on scene they found Zelina laying on the road. They attempted to take him into custody but he resisted. Police had to us the Taser on him twice. He continued to resist arrest so the officer took him to the ground, resulting in bleeding to his forehead.

Fedor assisted in taking Zelina into custody and putting him in the police cruiser.

Ortiz spoke with Zelina while he was in the cruiser and he related that he had used LSD, methamphetamine and marijuana earlier in the morning prior to the incident. Zelina appeared to be heavily under the influence with his speech slurred and was unstable, Ortiz observed.

Palmerton ambulance arrived on scene and personnel recommended Zelina be taken to the hospital for treatment. Police then transported him to the hospital where he received treatment. After his release he was taken to the state police barracks.

Troopers have charged Zelina with occupied vehicles for throwing the rock at the woman’s car, aggravated assault on the three police officers who took him into custody, simple assault, resisting arrest, persistent disorderly conduct, harassment, public drunkenness, and walking along a roadway under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.