CLEARFIELD – A New Millport man accused of getting into a scuffle with police waived his right to a preliminary hearing.
Chad R. Gallaher faces charges of simple assault (2), resisting arrest, knowingly or intentionally possessing a controlled or counterfeit substance by a person not registered, use of or possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief. Two counts of aggravated assault were dropped.
According to court records, police were called on Sept. 10 for suspicious men at Snappy’s. The caller stated that a vehicle kept driving around the parking lot and the men entered the store several times. As police arrived on scene, they noticed a truck pulling out of the parking lot of Snappy’s and traveled across state Route 879 onto Industrial Park Road. Police followed the vehicle until it pulled into a parking space at the far end of the parking lot of Hampton Inn/Comfort Inn.
Police pulled in and spoke to the men, who stated they lost a wallet and were looking for it at Snappy’s.
Police then went to Snappy’s and spoke with the clerk who told them that the men were driving around the parking lot and they entered the store numerous times. She said they were in the hall, going between the bathroom and store numerous times. She said they were talking about “looking for the cops.” She said that one of them was in the parking lot urinating.
When police left, they could see the men still in the parking lot of the hotels. The went up and noticed the men entering the Hampton Inn. The officers got out and made contact with Gallaher. He was asked if he had identification, which he didn’t have; he said it was in the truck. Police asked him what he was doing there and he said he had a room there. He was asked what room he had, and told police 204. The officers checked with the clerk.
According to the affidavit, Gallaher told police that he was not staying at the hotel, but living out of his truck. He put his hands in his pocket and was told to keep them in sight.
At this time, the other man came into the lobby. He was asked for his identification and he provided paperowrk for the Comport Inn. He was asked for his ID again, and provided it. He said he was staying at the Comfort Inn. Police told him they were not at the Comfort Inn and if he was intoxicated to the point where he didn’t know where he was staying he could go with them.
At this point, one officer told Gallaher to go outside and speak with him. Gallaher was againtold to keep his hands out of his pockets. He reportedly became nervous and agitated, so the officer asked him to put his hands on the polcie vehicle so he could be patted down. Gallaher started to walk toward the vehicle and asked what was going on. The officer told him he was being detained. Gallaher got one hand on the vehicle and pushed off. The officer called for his backup.
The other officer arrived and Gallaher was against the vehicle. His right hand was handcuffed. He was told to stop resisting, and told officers that he would put his hand behind his back so one of the officers let off of him. At this time Gallaher spun around and started to fight both officers. At one point during the scuffle, Gallaher attempted to place his hands in his pocket. One officer yelled that he had his hands were in his pocket. Not knowing if he had a weapon, the officer tazed him. Officers noticed a purple bottle next to Gallaher.
Additional help arrived and assisted in detaining and searching Gallaher. Officers found a baggy of cocaine, Adderall and a half tablet of Suboxone. Also found in his right pocket was a hollow pen tube. The purple bottle contained three baggies of powder that field tested positive for cocaine.
During the struggle, all involved suffered abrasions and cuts.
