Chase Alexander Fegley, 28, of Schuylkill Haven, is wanted on charges stemming from an incident in which police allege he confronted three juveniles and an adult with a handgun on Pine Street in July.
Schuylkill Haven Police filed four counts of simple assault, graded as second-degree misdemeanors, and four summary counts of harassment against Fegley on , through the office of Magisterial District Judge Casimir T. Kosciolek.
Police Describe July Pine Street Encounter
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by the Schuylkill Haven Police Department, the investigation began July 10 after the mother of one of the juveniles reported that a man had pulled a gun on her son and others that morning.
The group had been walking from the Stoyers Dam area, crossed West Columbia Street and continued north on North Berne Street before turning onto Pine Street, police said.
Witnesses told investigators that a white Jeep Cherokee with a damaged rear window covered with plastic and tape approached the group and sounded its horn. The group moved to the side of the roadway as the Jeep stopped near garages.
Police allege the driver exited the vehicle and pulled back the slide on a black semiautomatic handgun near the group.
One juvenile told police the man pointed the handgun at them and that he feared being shot. Another juvenile said he saw a black object he believed was a gun, but did not see the man point it at the group. A third described seeing the man operate the handgun’s slide before fleeing.
The adult told police he was approximately six to eight feet away when the man exited the Jeep and operated the handgun’s slide. He said he walked away with his hands raised while the juveniles ran.
According to police, the group went toward a playground on North Berne Street, where they reported the encounter to a nearby resident. The Jeep later passed the area without further incident.
Surveillance, Vehicle Search and Witness Identification
Investigators obtained neighborhood surveillance images and video showing the Jeep and juveniles fleeing Pine Street, according to the affidavit. Police said one recording captured a juvenile saying a man had a gun.
On July 12, police located a Jeep matching the witnesses’ descriptions on Pine Street. Its owner told investigators Fegley had been driving her vehicle at the time of the incident.
During a search conducted with the owner’s consent, police reported recovering .45-caliber ammunition and a cellphone identified as belonging to Fegley.
The adult positively identified Fegley in a photo lineup on July 20, according to the affidavit. The three juveniles did not make a positive identification of Fegley; one selected a different person, while the other two ultimately made no selection.
During a follow-up interview in October, the vehicle’s owner told police Fegley had claimed he believed the group was breaking into a garage and that he had pointed a drill at them. Juveniles interviewed by police denied any interaction with the driver before the roadway encounter.
Fegley Remains Wanted
Fegley remains wanted on the charges as of this posting.
Anyone with information about Fegley’s whereabouts can contact the Schuylkill Haven Police Department.
All charges are allegations. Fegley is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.