According to court records, Elree Lee Williams Jr., 45, of Minersville, was charged on June 21 with possession of a firearm prohibited, receiving stolen property, carrying a firearm without a license, flight to avoid apprehension, and resisting arrest.
According to the affidavit filed by Minersville Police Officer Jakob Kerby, officers were dispatched to the 100 block of Westwood Street for a report involving a male with a firearm. Police learned that Williams had already left the area and was traveling south toward Pottsville on a bicycle.
Officer Kerby reported locating Williams riding near King's Village Plaza and repeatedly ordered him to stop. Police allege Williams ignored the commands and continued riding, eventually traveling onto Route 901 and into oncoming traffic before colliding with a stopped vehicle at the entrance to the shopping plaza.
Authorities said Williams then fled on foot toward the Water Junction filling station. During the pursuit, investigators allege that Williams reached into his waistband, removed a handgun and threw it over the roof of the business before stopping and turning toward the pursuing officer.
When Officer Kerby attempted to place Williams in handcuffs, police said he resisted by pulling away and pushing the officer. With assistance from a bystander, off-duty Port Carbon Police Officer Joseph Murton, and Saint Clair Police Officer Christopher Wallace, Williams was taken into custody.
Police recovered the firearm from the median of Route 901. Investigators identified it as a SCCY CPX-2 handgun and determined through a National Crime Information Center check that the weapon had been reported stolen by the Cleveland Police Department in Ohio.
According to the affidavit, Williams told police he discarded the firearm because he was a convicted felon and knew he was not permitted to possess a gun. A criminal history check confirmed that Williams had a prior felony conviction dating back to 1999 that prohibited him from legally possessing a firearm.
Court records show Williams was arraigned by on call Magisterial District Judge Stephen Bayer and was unable to post $50,000 monetary bail and remains confined in Schuylkill County Prison pending further proceedings.
A preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Edward M. Lewis is scheduled for June 30.