A Schuylkill County man is facing a new set of charges after police say he violated a Protection From Abuse order, assaulted another man, stole two firearms, and was later found with more than 28 ounces of methamphetamine in his vehicle.
Police say James Reed III, 40, of Branch Township, violated an active PFA on the morning of Nov. 4, when he entered a Branch Township home he was legally barred from visiting. Once inside, police allege Reed confronted the occupants and fled with a woman’s purse, cash, a cell phone, and two firearms.
According to police, Reed entered the unlocked home around 9:30 a.m. He allegedly woke a man who was sleeping in the master bedroom and ordered him out of the house. Once outside, Reed punched the man in the left side of the face, police say.
A woman in the home told police Reed confronted her about having people in the house before going to the bedroom. Another man, who was staying in the basement, told police he heard Reed enter the home and later saw him leave through the basement door carrying a purse and two firearms. That witness said Reed told him not to tell police he was there.
Following the physical altercation, the male victim fled the property and contacted police. Police say Reed followed the man into Minersville. The victim contacted police a second time, reporting that Reed wanted to return the purse and belongings but intended to keep the firearms.
Local police detained both men near Sunbury St. shortly after 10 a.m. Police say Reed parked his Subaru Crosstrek behind a nearby sandwich shop. Upon police arrival, Reed agreed to give the victim the two firearms, which were later recovered by police from the victim’s vehicle along with the purse.
When questioned, Reed told police he only went to the residence to take a shower. He also claimed the woman had placed the purse in his vehicle, police say.
The following day, police executed a search warrant on Reed’s Subaru. During the search, police say they found a clear bag containing 28.5 ounces of suspected methamphetamine.
Police say the search of the vehicle also turned up a quarter-ounce of marijuana, an eighth of marijuana, a glass pipe with suspected methamphetamine residue, brass knuckles, a .45-caliber 13-round pistol magazine, and $8,949.50 in cash.
Because of the active protection order served to him on Oct. 30, police note Reed is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
In connection with this alleged incident, police are charging Reed with felony counts of burglary, prohibited possession of a firearm, theft, and possession with intent to deliver. He’s also being hit with misdemeanor counts of defiant trespass, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, and a weapons offense.
Reed also has an active case on similar charges from an alleged incident at the same location on Dec. 12. Read more about that by following this link: Schuylkill County Man Allegedly Jumps Out Window to Avoid Arrest on PFA Violation
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