Police say a wanted Schuylkill County man was found hiding under debris and other objects in a basement and that his significant other hindered their attempts to find him.
According to court documents filed by police in Minersville, officers from the borough, Pottsville, and Branch Township were zeroed in on a specific address on Pleasant St. on Monday looking for Matthew Engroff, 37.
Engroff was wanted on several assault charges out of Northampton County and was also a fugitive from Schuylkill County Detectives.
An initial search for Engroff at that address came up empty. Everyone inside at the time was told to call Minersville Police if Engroff showed up there.
At about 3:30 p.m. Monday, police learned from Schuylkill County dispatchers that Engroff was at the residence so officers from Minersville and Branch Township arrived and once again conducted a search.
Police say they shouted Engroff’s name multiple times while they searched the basement. Inside the basement was a secured area that was covered with debris, police say.
An officer says he climbed over the debris and eventually located Engroff. He was hunkered down with objects stacked on top of him in an attempt to conceal himself
Police say while they were searching the basement and calling his name, Engroff’s significant other, McKenna Johnson, 22, repeatedly told them, “He’s not here.”
After Engroff was uncovered, he allegedly acknowledged that he was wanted by authorities in two counties.
Engroff was arraigned before Magisterial District Court Judge AJ Serina on Monday night. He’s facing a charge of flight to avoid apprehension related to his alleged actions hiding from police.
Serina set “nominal” bail at $300,000, according to court records, and Engroff was remanded to Schuylkill County Prison.
Johnson was arraigned and charged with hindering apprehension, a third-degree felony, and remanded to Schuylkill County Prison on $100,000 bail.
**UPDATE: Engroff’s mother, Kathy, was also apprehended for hindering the search for her son. She was also arraigned Monday night and bail was set at $100,000.**
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