According to court documents, Punxsutawney-based State Police filed criminal charges against 51-year-old Leroy William Harris, of Punxsutawney, on Monday, October 23, in District Judge Jacqueline Mizerock’s office.
According to a criminal complaint, PSP Punxsutawney was dispatched to 1778 Frostburg Road, in Perry Township, Jefferson County, for a reported suicidal male around 2:47 a.m. on Sunday, October 22.
Jefferson County Control had received a 9-1-1 hangup call. When dispatchers called the number back, a male answered the phone, identifying himself as “Bubba.” He related that he was suicidal and that he was heavily armed, the complaint states.
The caller also related that he would “not go down without a fight” and only provided little to no information while on the phone. “Bubba” was defiant to the dispatcher’s request for more information, the complaint indicates.
The dispatchers were able to do a reverse Google search of the telephone number, which came back to a Leroy Harris of the same address. A driver’s license query confirmed Harris resided at the above location, according to the complaint.
Trooper Alex Watters and Trooper Elliot Neeper responded to the above location and stopped along Frostburg Road, exiting the patrol vehicle and continuing on foot. The troopers then traveled by a tree line, hidden, to observe the residence, the complaint notes.
Jefferson County 9-1-1 was still on the telephone with Harris while the troopers made an approach. At this time, Harris related to dispatch that he was going to light his home on fire. At that time, both 9-1-1 and the troopers could hear an audible smoke detector with Harris throwing items. The fire department was then requested to respond, the complaint states.
As the troopers got closer, they could observe the residence on fire and could see Harris, who was still on the phone with 9-1-1, through the tree line. Trooper Watters then provided cover while Trooper Neeper moved along Frostburg Road and into a dirt driveway. Trooper Neeper could observe Harris standing in front of his residence, which was an approximate 20×20 shed with an attached porch, the complaint indicates.
Harris had one hand hidden in his jacket, the complaint notes.
Once in place, Trooper Neeper identified himself and ordered Harris to show his hands at gunpoint. Harris then “bladed himself” and refused to obey orders, screaming profanity, and refusing to show his hands. During this time, the residence became fully involved with fire while endangering a nearby residence, the complaint states.
Harris then fled away from Trooper Neeper and back towards Trooper Watters, who engaged Harris and ordered him to stop and show his hands again. Harris began running towards Trooper Neeper, who ordered him to stop before deploying his taser, the complaint indicates.
Harris continued to resist arrest once on the ground, failing to provide his right hand. He was eventually taken into custody and moved away from the fire, the complaint notes.
Harris was provided his Miranda rights while in the rear of the patrol vehicle and he agreed to speak with police. Harris was intoxicated and claimed no one else was in the home, only his cats, according to the complaint.
Harris stated he was upset over personal matters and claimed he was going through “some mental health issues,” the complaint states.
Trooper Neeper questioned Harris as to why he lit his residence on fire, to which Harris related he had given away all his money, and didn’t intentionally light the place on fire. He claimed he threw a candle in the place and went up out of control, the complaint indicates.
Harris was moved to an EMS unit and was searched before transport. He was found to be in possession of a black BIC lighter, which was collected as evidence. He was then transported to Punxsutawney Hospital and was turned over to hospital staff, the complaint notes.
According to court documents, Harris was arraigned on the following charges at 11:30 a.m. on October 22 in front of Judge Mizerock:
- Arson-Danger of Death or Bodily Injury, Felony 1
- Reckless Burning or Exploding – Places Uninhabited Or Unoccupied Structure in Danger of Damage or Destruction, Felony 3
- Risking Catastrophe, Felony 3
- Terroristic Threats Cause Serious Public Inconvenience, Felony 3
- Evading Arrest or Detention on Foot, Felony 3
- Resist Arrest/Other Law Enforcement, Misdemeanor 2
- Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Misdemeanor 2
- Disorder Conduct Hazardous/Physi Offense, Misdemeanor 3
Unable to post $50,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Jefferson County Jail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday, November 2, at 11:15 a.m. with Judge Mizerock presiding.