Tremont man arrested on drug, weapons counts

Feb. 10--MAHANOY CITY -- Borough police officers watching what they said was a "known drug house" Saturday night led to the arrest of a Tremont man on drug and weapons charges.

Brandon S. Fritz, 31, of 103 Spring St., was committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $50,000 straight cash bail set by on-call Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville.

Cpl. Michael Dissinger charged Fritz with four counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count each of possession of drug paraphernalia, prohibited acts, crimes committed with firearms, persons not to possess or use firearms, firearms not to be carried without a license, carrying loaded weapons other than firearms, possessing instruments of crime, prohibited offensive weapons, unauthorized use of a registration, operation following suspension of registration, registration and certificate of title required, driving without insurance and stop and yield sign violations.

Dissinger said the incident began about 8:30 p.m. when he was conducting surveillance of the "known drug house" in the 1000 block of East Pine Street and saw a Nissan minivan pull in, partially sticking out onto the street.

A check of the license plate determined that it was registered to a 1995 Ford truck and not the van, Dissinger said.

After about 15 minutes the driver, identified as Fritz, exited the home, got into the van and drove off, Dissinger said, adding that a marked police cruiser initiated a traffic stop after Fritz ran a stop sign at 12th and Pine streets.

Dissinger said Patrolman Steven Krater approached the vehicle and asked Fritz for his driver's license, but Fritz said he was unable to locate the vehicle registration and insurance card because the van belonged to his mother.

A subsequent check determined the van was owned by Christine Hernandez, Shillington, and the registration that was supposed to be on it expired in May of 2011.

Dissinger said he saw, between the front driver and passenger seats, a black shotgun that was subsequently determined to be loaded with three shells and another in the chamber.

Also inside was an extra box of Winchester shotgun shells, the same caliber as the black shotgun, plus an extra barrel for the gun that appeared to be sawed off and only 17 inches long, Dissinger said.

Fritz was searched and found to have a small, clear plastic bag that contained heroin, Dissinger said. He added that a subsequent look inside the vehicle revealed items of drug paraphernalia, including a methamphetamine pipe and an open camouflage bag with a .22 caliber handgun.

The van also contained a plastic bag with narcotics, and the camouflage bag contained a scale, other items for packaging marijuana, additional narcotics and drug paraphernalia, he said.

Dissinger also said a check on Fritz determined he was wanted on an outstanding bench warrant by the Schuylkill County District Attorney's office for failing to appear for a prior court case.

Dissinger said he impounded the van and obtained a search warrant to seek additional illegal items that may have been inside.

___

(c)2014 the Republican & Herald (Pottsville, Pa.)

Visit the Republican & Herald (Pottsville, Pa.) at republicanherald.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services