MAHANOY CITY — A Mahanoy Plane man faces felony assault and disarming charges after police allege he resisted arrest and attempted to take the Mahanoy City police chief’s Taser during an encounter inside a convenience store Thursday morning.
Marc Benjamin was charged following the , incident at the Cocoa Hut, 101 East Centre Street.
Police Describe Struggle Inside Cocoa Hut
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Police Chief Thomas J. Rentschler, the chief stopped at the store around 10:47 a.m. while on routine patrol. While waiting in line, he recognized Benjamin, whom he knew to have two active Schuylkill County bench warrants for failure to appear.
Rentschler wrote that he informed Benjamin of the warrants. Benjamin allegedly acknowledged them and asked whether he could be released to turn himself in.
When Rentschler attempted to take him into custody, Benjamin began pulling away and backing up, according to the affidavit. Police allege he repeatedly ignored commands to place his hands behind his back.
Rentschler reported that Benjamin slipped his jacket over his head and held it in front of his body as the chief attempted to bring him to the ground. When Rentschler drew his Taser, Benjamin allegedly used the jacket as a shield.
As the chief moved closer to apply the Taser directly, Benjamin allegedly grabbed the device with both hands and attempted to pull it from Rentschler’s grasp.
According to the affidavit, Rentschler pushed Benjamin backward through a display and pinned him against a bathroom door. After regaining control of the Taser, the chief applied it directly and brought Benjamin to the ground.
Rentschler reported suffering an injury during the struggle and later sought medical attention.
Police Report Finding Badge and Suspected Drugs
Police said a search following the arrest uncovered a glass pipe with white residue, another smoking device and a Ryan Township police chief badge affixed to Benjamin’s wallet. The criminal complaint identifies the badge as the property involved in a receiving stolen property charge.
A store employee also alerted police to a locked black plastic box that Benjamin allegedly brought inside and left near the entrance. Rentschler wrote that surveillance footage showed Benjamin carrying the box into the store and placing it there.
Police obtained a search warrant for the box, which investigators said was opened using a key found on Benjamin.
Inside, investigators reported finding five blue bags containing a crystal-like substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine, plant material that field-tested positive for marijuana, a digital scale and dozens of small plastic bags.
Ten Charges Filed; Bail Set at $100,000
Benjamin faces 10 charges: aggravated assault, disarming a law enforcement officer, simple assault, resisting arrest, receiving stolen property, two counts of disorderly conduct, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The aggravated assault charge is graded as a second-degree felony, while the disarming charge is a third-degree felony.
According to court records, Benjamin was arraigned on , before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker. Monetary bail was set at $100,000, and Benjamin was committed to Schuylkill County Prison after being unable to post bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for , before Kilker.
The charges are allegations. Benjamin is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.