Police say Palmerton man planned to sell fake heroin

A Palmerton man is behind bars after he was found to be in possession of a substance he planned to sell as heroin.

Andrew Ringler, 20, of the 400 block of Ridge Street, faces charges on one count each of possession with intent to manufacture or deliver; unlawful possession of a controlled substance; possession of drug paraphernalia; and flight to avoid apprehension, trial or punishment.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by officer Dane O’Brien of the Palmerton Borough Police Department:

At 9:34 a.m. Oct. 12, while on patrol in the 300 block of Delaware Avenue, O’Brien observed an individual dressed in a red hooded sweatshirt riding a silver bicycle in the area of BB&T Bank’s thruway at 330 Delaware Ave.

The person appeared to be nervous as he was continuously looking around and using his cellphone.

Upon seeing O’Brien, Ringler concealed himself in the thruway and reappeared upon O’Brien’s passing.

While attempting to make contact with Ringler in the rear alley way, Ringler fled, traveling westbound on Delaware Avenue.

Ringler was then seen dismounting his bicycle and entered a thruway in between the Palmerton Hotel and Prodigy Studios, both located at 304-306 Delaware Ave.

O’Brien then made contact with Ringler in the rear alley way, at which time he announced himself and informed Ringler to stop, at which time he fled.

O’Brien then gave chase, at which time Ringler was then taken into custody in the 400 block of Avenue A.

Upon conducting a search, a glassine bag containing a red packet was located inside Ringler’s front right pocket.

When O’Brien approached Ringler about the discovered item, Ringler admitted that it was makeup wrapped in paper.

Ringler was then transported back to the police department for processing.

Ringler was interviewed after being providing his Miranda Rights, at which time he admitted to waiting for a nondisclosed individual to arrive and that he planned on selling the recovered item as heroin for $100.

In addition, Ringler admitted to running from O’Brien due to believing that he had an active warrant out for his arrest.

Ringler is currently incarcerated in the Carbon County Correctional Facility in lieu of $20,000 straight bail.

Ringler is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 24 before District Judge William Kissner of Palmerton.