A Schuylkill County man is facing charges following an incident earlier this month in which he was suspected of masturbating at an intersection in Minersville.
Police in Minersville say they were dispatched to the intersection of Sunbury St. and Teaberry Hill Rd. in the borough at about 9:45 p.m. on Sept. 12. Dispatchers told police that a caller had reported a man wearing a red shirt with his hands down his pants masturbating.
At the scene, police identified the suspect as Eric Wychunas, 47, of Pottsville. Police say they asked Schuylkill County dispatchers to confirm a 302 warrant for Wychunas.
Police say that during a pat-down search of Wychunas, they found what they believed to be a glass meth pipe in one of the pockets of his pants.
As police attempted to place Wychunas in custodial detention, he allegedly resisted police efforts, pushing the handcuffs away from him, turning around, and running.
Police say they deployed a Taser and struck Wychunas. Despite commands to do so, Wychunas allegedly refused to roll over until he was finally taken into custody.
A test of residue in Wychunas’ pipe confirmed the presence of methamphetamine, police say.
A few days later, police say they spoke with the person who had called 9-1-1 regarding what they had seen Wychunas doing in the street back on the 12th. He reportedly told police that he could see Wychunas from his home.
Wychunas allegedly had his hand down his pants and it was moving in an upward motion. He then allegedly got on all fours and sat in the middle of the street.
Police have charged Wychunas with misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and possession of drug paraphernalia. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 21.
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