A homeless Schuylkill County man is behind bars following two separate altercations with police in the last month involving alleged retail theft, resisting arrest, and erratic behavior at local convenience stores.
Jonathon Manness, 41, of the Tamaqua area, faces charges stemming from incidents on Jan. 17 and Feb. 14. He was arraigned on both sets of charges Tuesday afternoon and is currently in Schuylkill County Prison on 10% of $1,000 bail in each case.
Police in Tamaqua say the first incident occurred on Jan. 17. They say they were dispatched to the Citizens Fire Co. for an alarm call and observed Manness speed-walking away from the building. Officers say they caught up to him in the unit block of E. Broad St.
Manness reportedly became agitated during questioning, yelling and challenging officers to a fight. He eventually walked away toward Fegley’s convenience store. Officers say they checked the fire company, determined no entry had been gained, and followed Manness to the store.
A clerk at Fegley’s advised police that Manness had allegedly stolen three items – potato Skins, five peanut butter cookies, and strawberry milk – totaling $10.11.
Police say they located Manness across the street in a parking lot, where he was still yelling. When officers attempted to take him into custody, Manness allegedly “swam out of” his jacket and ran north through the parking lot. He then took what police describe as a “fighting stance.”
Officers say they used force to take him into custody. Manness complained his shoulder was out of place and he was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital for a mental health evaluation. Police noted he was hallucinating, claiming he was a vampire and stating he had not slept in days.
The second series of incidents began on Feb. 14 when police say they were dispatched to the Vegas Convenience Store at 117 E. Broad St. for a report of Manness yelling at a clerk.
Manness was allegedly grabbing his crotch and asking the clerk if he “wants to see his little piggy.”
Police said Manness opened a Mr. Goodbar valued at $2 and ate it while talking to himself.
Officers trespassed Manness from the store and served him with a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order prohibiting him from visiting his mother’s residence.
Approximately 20 minutes later, police were dispatched to Fegley’s gas station. Officers found Manness inside eating a bag of M&Ms valued at $1.79. He had been previously trespassed from the location due to prior alleged thefts.
When officers informed Manness he was under arrest for theft and trespassing, he allegedly began to resist. Police say it took three officers approximately five minutes to restrain him.
During the struggle, an officer says he deployed a Taser to the back of Manness’ leg, but it allegedly had “little to no effect on him.”
Manness was eventually handcuffed and placed in a patrol car.
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