After leading police on a high-speed chase through Altoona on Tuesday, a city man was discovered hiding under a bush with a significant amount of illegal drugs,
ifredregill@altoonamirror.com
Police charged a former Altoona man Friday with stealing multiple firearms after he allegedly confessed to taking the guns from a couple who let him stay with them during the holidays, court documents stated.
Richard C. Wertz, 42, was arraigned Saturday by Magisterial District Judge Matthew Dunio on firearms and theft-related charges, according to court documents.
The victims told police they invited Wertz to stay with them during the month of December to allow Wertz to “get back on his feet,” police reported.
In a taped interview with police just after New Year’s Day, Wertz confessed to making an agreement with his co-defendant, Jo Ann Martinez/Smolko, to remove three firearms from the victims’ home in December, court documents stated.
ifredregill@altoonamirror.com
A Philadelphia man allegedly discarded a large amount of heroin while fleeing Altoona police Thursday night near the 1700 block of Fifth Avenue, police said.
Anthony Brown, 41, was arraigned Friday by Magisterial District Judge Matthew Dunio on drug-related charges, Blair County court documents stated.
While the court lists an address in Altoona for Brown, Altoona police said his residence is in Philadelphia. Police arrested Brown while acting on information that he was violating his state parole by traveling to Altoona.
About 9:35 p.m. Thursday, Brown allegedly arrived as a passenger in a car at a residence on Fifth Avenue, court documents stated.
ifredregill@altoonamirror.com
Following multiple traffic stops and information from a confidential source, police arrested a Tyrone man on drug and firearm charges, court documents stated.
Richard A. Ewing, 42, was arraigned Thursday by Magisterial District Judge Matthew Dunio after Logan Township police discovered suspected methamphetamine, marijuana, methylâenedioxyâmethamphetamine (also known as ecstasy), drug paraphernalia, cash and a firearm in a motel room Ewing was occupying, according to Blair County court documents.
On Wednesday, police were observing the Econo Lodge, 2906 Pleasant Valley Blvd., because of information they received about potential drug activity in the area, Logan Township Police Department reported.