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Drug charges filed after repeated police contacts
LEWISTOWN -- A Lewistown woman faces multiple drug-related charges following two separate police incidents on Thursday, Oct. 1, according to a release issued on Thursday by the Lewistown Police Department.
At 4:47 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, officers returned to the South Main Street apartment of Ashley L. Spriggs, 39, of Lewistown, after she reported several items in her residence were covered in methamphetamine. Previously, she had claimed to turning into Satan and destroying her apartment. Police said the apartment was in disarray with belongings scattered throughout the residence, but officers did not observe evidence that the items were coated in drugs. During their investigation, officers located two used glass marijuana bongs in plain view and seized them. Spriggs was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
Later that day at 1 p.m., Spriggs contacted police and reported she had located fentanyl that she believed had been planted inside her residence. Police met her on the 100 block of South Main Street, where she turned over a clay pot containing a folded piece of paper, an orange straw and a small amount of white powder. Officers said Spriggs appeared to be under the influence and noted she had recently admitted to methamphetamine abuse during previous interactions with police. A presumptive test identified the powder as fentanyl. Spriggs was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Altoona man charged in alleged PFA violation
LEWISTOWN -- An Altoona man was charged after Lewistown Police Department officers said he violated a protection-from-abuse order through social media activity, according to a release issued on Thursday.
At 9:43 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, officers investigated a complaint involving David W. Traxler, 45, of Altoona. Police said Traxler was prohibited from posting remarks or images regarding a protected party but allegedly posted a photograph of a PFA document that contained the individual’s identifying information. Following consultation with the Mifflin County District Attorney’s Office, a warrant was obtained charging Traxler with indirect criminal contempt. He was later taken into custody and lodged in the Mifflin County Correctional Facility in Lewistown.
Police seek information in hit-and-run investigation
LEWISTOWN - The Lewistown Police Department is investigating a reported hit-and-run crash that damaged a parked vehicle on Shaw Avenue in Lewistown, according to a release issued on Thursday.
At 10:14 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, officers received a report that a red Jeep struck a parked vehicle on the first block of Shaw Avenue, breaking a side mirror before leaving the area without stopping. Officers are seeking surveillance footage and information that might help identify the vehicle and its driver.
Area man charged after suspected overdose response
LEWISTOWN -- Area man was charged with possessing drug paraphernalia following a suspected overdose incident, according to a release issued on Thursday by the Lewistown Police Department.
At 1:35 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, emergency responders were dispatched to Valley and South Walnut streets in Lewistown for a report of a man who appeared to be overdosing. Mark J. Snyder, 48, of address unknown, was found lying on the ground and was revived by EMS personnel. Police later located a marijuana pipe in Snyder’s pocket. He was transported to a hospital for treatment and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
High-speed pursuit ends in Juniata County arrest
LEWISTOWN -- A Lewistown man is facing multiple charges after the Lewistown Police Department said he led officers on a pursuit that exceeded 120 miles per hour, according to a release issued on Thursday.
At 1:55 a.m. Oct. 2, officers attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Travis S. Beward, 34, of Lewistown, after observing traffic violations. Police said Beward fled through Lewistown and onto Route 322 eastbound before exiting near Port Royal in Juniata County. The pursuit ended after the vehicle stopped in a driveway.
Police said Beward later told officers he fled because he was scared and because his driver’s license was suspended. Officers suspected impairment and obtained a blood sample for testing. Beward was charged with felony fleeing and eluding, driving under the influence of a controlled substance and several related traffic offenses.