A Schuylkill County man has been jailed on an attempted burglary charge after police say he drunkenly smashed through the glass doors of a home in Tremont and challenged the resident there, a complete stranger, to a fight.
James Johnston, 44, of Port Carbon, was detained after police responded to a reported attempted burglary at a home on W. Laurel St. shortly before 7 p.m. on April 12.
While police were en route to the scene, Johnston allegedly called them, admitting he was kicking the door in and requesting to speak to the Troopers who were on their way.
The victim told police he heard a knock and found Johnston outside. Johnston immediately became confrontational, yelling and trying to initiate a fight, the victim said. The resident, who told police he had never met Johnston, locked the door to retrieve a firearm out of fear for his family’s safety.
As the resident locked the door, Johnston attempted to kick it in, shattering the outside glass door and an interior wooden and glass door, the victim told police. The victim stated his two sons, one under a year old and the other almost two, were just inside the door and were nearly struck by the breaking glass before his wife grabbed them and fled upstairs. The resident did not engage with Johnston further and estimated the damage to the doors at about $1,000.
Police say they arrived to find Johnston wearing a Steelers hoodie, matching the description provided by the victim. Johnston was visibly intoxicated, with bloodshot, glossy eyes and featuring a strong odor of alcohol, police say.
Police observed a fresh, bleeding laceration on Johnston’s right hand. Drops of blood consistent with the injury were found outside the front door, along with an empty Coors Light container, police say. Damage to the doors of the resident’s home were consistent with the description given by him earlier, police say.
Johnston was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Stephen Bayer later that night and charged with felony count of attempted burglary and attempted criminal trespass as well as three misdemeanor counts of simple assault, two counts of reckless endangerment, and one count of criminal mischief. Police tacked on summary counts of disorderly conduct and public drunkenness as well.
Bayer set bail at $10,000 cash and Johnston was remanded to Schuylkill County Prison. Court records show he’s still there. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 23 before Judge Christian Lengel in Tremont.
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Shapiro Isa Schmuck
April 17, 2026 at 11:24 am
$10,000 bail? Pathetic.