Stanley P. Brozana Jr., 72 – Served 37 Years as Orwigsburg Police Chief
A Schuylkill County man is facing charges after police say he drew a gun on a neighbor during a recent dispute.
According to an affidavit filed by State Police-Frackville, Troopers were called to an address along Valley Road in Walker Township shortly before 10 p.m. on Jan. 31 for a dispute between neighbors.
At the scene, police learned from the victim that while he was outside, his neighbor, Michael Kurtz, 45, began screaming at him. As Kurtz continued screaming, the victim said he told Kurtz to meet him on the street.
Both walked to the end of a driveway and continued arguing. At one point during the argument, the victim reportedly told police that Kurtz reached into his waistband and pulled out a gun, pointing it at him and threatening to shoot him.
The victim also told police that Kurtz threatened to burn down his house.
Kurtz reportedly then retreated back to his house and then fled the scene in a vehicle, police say.
The victim reportedly provided police with audio recordings of the altercation. In those recordings, police say they could hear Kurtz saying, “I will f***ing kill you,” and that he’d pointed a gun at the victim.
Kurtz was arrested and arraigned the following day. District Magistrate Judge AJ Serina set bail at 10% of $10,000, which was not immediately posted and Kurtz was sent to Schuylkill County Prison. Bail was posted on Feb. 3, according to court records.
A preliminary hearing is currently scheduled before Serina on Feb. 11 at which time Kurtz will have to answer to charges of simple assault, reckless endangerment, terroristic threats, and possessing an instrument of crime, all misdemeanors.
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