POTTSVILLE – A Philadelphia man is behind bars after police say he carried out an armed robbery at the Eagle Tavern in Pottsville late Saturday night.
According to Pottsville Police, officers were dispatched to the tavern at 10:50 p.m. on September 27, 2025, for a report of a robbery involving a handgun. A male victim told police he was approached by a suspect dressed in dark clothing, wearing a hood and face covering. The suspect reportedly brandished a firearm and demanded the victim’s wallet before fleeing on foot toward Arch Street.
Several witnesses told officers they saw the suspect running west on Arch Street. Another reported seeing him enter the rear of a residence at 720 W. Market Street. When officers approached the home, the suspect attempted to flee out the back door but was taken into custody in the yard.
The individual was identified as Matthew Bailey, 37, of Philadelphia. Police said a warrant check revealed Bailey was wanted by State Parole, and he was immediately lodged in the Schuylkill County Prison.
A search of the residence uncovered several pieces of clothing matching those worn during the robbery, a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun with an obliterated serial number, and the victim’s stolen wallet.
Following the investigation, a warrant was issued charging Bailey with robbery, possession of a firearm prohibited, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, terroristic threats, simple assault, theft, and receiving stolen property.
Police also noted this was the fourth incident of a similar nature at the Eagle Tavern since September 25. Bailey has been identified as a suspect in the other cases, with additional charges pending further investigation.
UPDATE: Bailey was arraigned on Monday, September 29th, 2025 by Magisterial District Judge James Reiley for the September 27th, 2025 incident and locked up in Schuylkill County Prison on $50,000 straight cash bail.
He was also charged and arraigned for an incident on Thursday, September 26th, 2025 on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a prohibited firearm, firearms not to be carried without a license, making terroristic threats, and simple assault. Judge Reiley set bail for this incident at $25,000.