A Pottsville man is behind bars after allegedly breaking into an apartment and resisting arrest early Sunday morning, according to city police.
Authorities say officers were dispatched around 6:25 a.m. on June 22 to an apartment in the 700 Block of West Market Street for a reported disturbance. A female resident called 911 and reported that Michael Labounty, 52, had kicked in her door and was refusing to leave.
Upon arrival, officers located Labounty outside in the yard next to the apartment building. He reportedly told police that he was there to collect his belongings but found the door locked. When officers went to speak with the caller, they observed broken pieces of wood outside the apartment door along with damage near the door jamb, preventing the door from latching properly. The damage was consistent with forced entry, police said.
The female resident told officers that she was in another room when she heard a loud bang coming from the kitchen. When she investigated, she found Labounty standing inside her kitchen, refusing to leave. Another witness inside the apartment corroborated her account.
As officers attempted to place Labounty under arrest, he allegedly resisted their commands and refused to place his hands behind his back. During the struggle, one officer suffered a minor hand injury. Labounty was eventually subdued and taken into custody.
Labounty was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Andrew Serina on charges of Criminal Trespass (Felony 2) and Resisting Arrest (Misdemeanor 2). Bail was set at $15,000, which Labounty was unable to post. He was committed to Schuylkill County Prison.