Police say a home intruder in Schuylkill County was detained after he was hit with a wood bat earlier this week.
The suspected intruder – identified as Gary Hummel II, of Pottsville – reportedly told Police he started drinking Fireball on Monday and didn’t know how he ended up inside a home in Norwegian Township.
Troopers from State Police-Schuylkill Haven say they were called to a home in Norwegian Township shortly after 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday (June 24) for a reported intruder. The person who called 9-1-1 said a man, later identified as Hummel, pushed his way through their front door. The caller said they had no idea who Hummel was and that he appeared disoriented.
Through their investigation, police say they learned that Hummel allegedly began fighting with the caller’s husband inside the home. Hummel reportedly charged at the man when he responded to a loud bang near the front entrance of his home.
During the confrontation, the homeowners’ son reportedly grabbed a wood bat and hit Hummel twice. Those strikes caused Hummel to stop fighting and he was held in the home’s kitchen until police from Saint Clair arrived at the scene to detain him.
Police say they later found Hummel’s vehicle parked in a dirt lot off Seltzer Rd. Saint Clair Police were at the scene prior to State Police Troopers arriving at the scene. They detained Hummel upon their arrival.
Hummel was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-East for a blood draw. Before having his blood drawn, police say Hummel told them, “I’m feeling suicidal.” He was then admitted to the hospital for a mental health evaluation.
Court records show Hummel was arraigned before District Magistrate Judge AJ Serina on Tuesday night and charged with burglary, a first-degree felony, DUI and criminal mischief, both misdemeanors, and a summary offense for harassment.
Serina set bail at $50,000 cash and Hummel was remanded to Schuylkill County Prison.
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