A Pottsville man was arrested Wednesday for reportedly trespassing into another man’s apartment in the city.
According to information released by police in Pottsville, a reported trespassing was called in to police from the 200 block of N. Centre St. The caller said that a man – identified as Michael Bleashka, 51, had walked into his apartment. The door to the apartment was unlocked at the time.
The victim said he made contact with Bleashka near his refrigerator. Bleashka reportedly tried to push by the man. However, the victim said he grabbed a knife and was able to force Bleashka out of his apartment.
Police say they were able to catch up to Bleashka at the Barefield park nearby.
Bleashka has been charged with a single count of criminal trespass, a third-degree felony. He was arraigned before District Magistrate Judge David Plachko on Wednesday. Plachko set bail at $35,000 and remanded Bleashka to Schuylkill County Prison.
According to a report from the Republican Herald, Bleashka was convicted in 2021 on charges that he set fire to a room at the Pottsville Motor Inn.
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