A Schuylkill County man wanted on a bench warrant for failure to pay more than $21,000 in unpaid child support was taken into custody by police in Shenandoah following a violent struggle earlier this month. The whole incident started over a complaint about a vehicle idling in a handicapped parking space without a placard for two hours.
According to an affidavit filed by Shenandoah Borough Police Dept., officers were dispatched to a home on S. Catherine St. at about 11 p.m. on Feb. 1. The caller said that Darious Felder, 34, listed as homeless, was inside the residence and had a Chevy Impala idling in the handicapped spot. The vehicle parked in the handicapped spot was registered to a person named Austin Creamer, of Mahanoy City.
Police say they were aware that Felder had an active bench warrant for $21,733.79 in unpaid child support.
As officers approached the residence where Felder had been reported, police say he opened the door pre-emptively. Police say they opened the storm door and asked Felder if the idling vehicle was his. He reportedly said it was. Police then told Felder that they’re aware of the active bench warrant over his unpaid child support and asked him to step outside.
Felder reportedly replied that he wasn’t who they thought he was and refused to step onto the porch. Police say they then got closer to the threshold of the doorway and as they did that, noticed a pitbull-type dog barking aggressively as it sat on the couch.
Police say they feared the dog might bite so they didn’t go in the home any further and gave commands for Felder to exit the residence. Instead, they say Felder used the door as a shield from them. More commands to exit the building were given, police say. Eventually, police drew a Taser on Felder but instead of surrendering, he allegedly slammed the door on an officer’s arm, knocking him back onto the porch.
Felder was reportedly warned that if he didn’t surrender, police were willing to force their way in the home. Despite that warning, Felder again denied being who he was, saying his name was Marcus Felder and that he didn’t know why officers were bothering him and that he’d been paying his child support.
Shenandoah officers then called for backup from Frackville, Mahanoy City, West Mahanoy Township, and Butler Township police. Together, they formed a perimeter around the home. While doing this, two dogs were released into the backyard of the surrounded home.
Police then gained entry into the home and began searching for Felder. Felder was eventually found hiding in a bedroom closet and taken into custody. Police say Felder was taken to Schuylkill County Prison on the active warrant.
He’s now being charged with aggravated assault, a second-degree felony, and misdemeanors for avoiding apprehension and obstruction. A summary offense for parking in a handicapped space has also been filed against Felder.
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