CLEARFIELD – Clearfield County District Attorney, William A. Shaw, Jr. announced the
capture of a wanted fugitive.Shaw identified the Fugitive as Travis L. Heichel, age 34, of North Third St., Snow Shoe.
Heichel was added to the Clearfield County Fugitive of the Week list on Nov. 8, 2010.
On Aug. 7, 2010, Patrolman Charles Marshall of the Lawrence Township Police Department, filed a criminal complaint charging Heichel with: 1) possession of a small amount of marijuana, M; 2) possession of drug paraphernalia, M; 3) driving under the influence, M1; 4) driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked, M1; 5) resisting arrest or other law enforcement, M2; 6) registration and certificate of title required, S; 7) driving on right side of roadway, S; 8) driving on divided highways, S; 9) careless driving, S; 10)reckless driving, S; 11) accidents involving damage to unattended vehicle or property, S; and 12) restrictions on alcoholic beverages, S.
An Affidavit of Probable Cause filed by Marshall states that on Aug. 6, 2010, the Lawrence Township Police received a report of a possible driving under the influence on state Route 879. Witnesses observed a Chevrolet Impala traveling in the median of the opposite lane, and also observed the vehicle strike a street sign. Upon stopping the vehicle, the driver initially refused to exit the vehicle. When the driver did comply and exit the vehicle Marshall detected signs of impairment as well as other signs of intoxication. Police also located a chrome pipe commonly used for inhaling marijuana and a small bag of suspected marijuana. Thereafter, Marshall took Heichel into custody and transported him for blood testing.
A preliminary hearing was held on September 8, 2010, at which time all charges were held for court. On Sept. 29, 2010, Heichel failed to appear for arraignment court and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Shaw stated that an anonymous tip to the Clearfield County Crimestoppers provided the location of Heichel. On Nov. 18, 2010, Clearfield County Deputy Sheriff George DeHaven, accompanied by Deputy Sheriff Samantha Knepp apprehended Hiechel at a residence in the Hillcrest Commons in Philipsburg . Hiechel was taken into custody without incident. Shaw stated that Heichel was located as the direct result of citizens willing to provide information to law enforcement. Shaw thanked the Clearfield County Sheriff’s Department for their hard work and assistance with this case.
Anyone with knowledge of a Fugitive’s location is asked to call Clearfield County Crimestoppers at 800-376-4700. All calls to Crimestoppers are confidential. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by visiting the Clearfield County District Attorney Web site and selecting “Report A Crime”.
