A Schuylkill County man was arrested earlier this month after police say he led an officer on a foot chase over a brick wall, across railroad tracks and through Tamaqua streets, even shrugging off two Taser deployments.
Barry Adam Ohl, 32, of Tamaqua, was arrested on Dec. 5 following an incident near Fegley’s Mini Mart, according to court documents.
The incident began at approximately 4 p.m. when a Tamaqua officer in a marked patrol vehicle entered the parking lot of Fegley’s Mini Mart. The officer says he observed a man, later identified as Ohl, wearing camouflage pants and a black hoodie with the hood up.
Ohl was walking quickly behind the Dunkin drive-thru, looking down and away “like they were trying to hide their identity,” police say in their affidavit.
When the officer drove around to the front of the store to intercept him, police allege Ohl saw the patrol vehicle, performed a “complete 180-degree turn,” and began walking fast in the opposite direction. The officer then activated his vehicle’s emergency lights.
Upon seeing the reflection of the lights, Ohl allegedly began running toward a brick wall located behind the store.
The officer exited the vehicle and yelled for Ohl to stop. Police say Ohl disregarded the commands, scaled the roughly five-foot wall, and ran onto the railroad tracks.
Ohl was pursued on foot over the wall and across the tracks. The chase continued onto S. Railroad St., with Ohl running southbound toward W. Spruce St.
During the pursuit, police say they deployed a Taser twice. However, the Taser had no effect on him and Ohl continued to run.
Police say they eventually caught up with Ohl at the St. Luke’s parking lot on S. Railroad St. and took him into custody.
Ohl was walked back to the initial scene at the mini mart. Police say when they asked Ohl if he ran because he thought he had a warrant, Ohl reportedly replied, “probably.”
A check confirmed an active bench warrant for Ohl out of the Schuylkill County Detective’s Office.
For this recent incident, police have charged Ohl with misdemeanor counts of evading arrest on foot, resisting arrest, and flight to avoid apprehension. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 3.
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