SHAMOKIN - Two local police officers suffered injuries early Saturday while attempting to take two men who had been drinking into custody after they refused commands to exit their vehicle at Spruce and Market streets.
Cyle James Schriver, 28, of 238 E. Shamokin St., Trevorton, faces multiple charges, including a felony of aggravated assault of a police officer and two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol, in connection with the 2:47 a.m. disturbance.
Brandon Nash, 21, of 1720 W. Pine St., Coal Township, a passenger in Schriver's car, has been charged with misdemeanors of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, and a summary of public drunkenness.
All the charges were filed by Shamokin Cpl. Jarrod Scandle.
Coal Township Cpl. Joshua Wynn, who assisted Scandle and Patrolman Raymond Siko II on the call, was punched in the face by Schriver during the scuffle, causing a bloody nose. Wynn's glasses were knocked off.
Siko, who also was punched by Schriver, suffered a sprain and torn tendons in his right wrist and hand that required emergency room treatment at Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital. He will miss at least a week of work as a result of the injuries.
According to a criminal complaint, police observed Schriver fail to stop his car for a stop sign at Sixth and Spruce streets. Schriver turned left and traveled north on Spruce Street toward officers, who were in the area handling another call.
Siko stepped into the street and used his flashlight to warn Schriver, who police said was driving in a careless manner, to stop. Siko approached the vehicle and said he spotted Schriver holding a beer bottle as he was stopping the car.
The officer asked Schriver, who cannot walk without the assistance of crutches, and Nash to roll down their windows and open their doors, but they both refused, police said. Siko said Schriver, who claimed he did nothing wrong and that police needed a warrant to search him and the vehicle, encouraged Nash not to open his window or door.
Police said both men repeatedly refused to cooperate and resisted arrest.
As police were attempting to remove Nash from the auto, Schriver grabbed his friend's shirt and neck in an attempt to prevent officers from taking him into custody. After using substantial force, the officers, who also received assistance from Coal Township Patrolman Jason Adams and Ralpho Township Officer Stephen Spade, were able to remove Nash from the car and handcuff him, they said.
Officers then approached Schriver, who reached for something on the floor and refused to show his hands to police, prompting Wynn to deploy pepper spray on the defendant.
Wynn was able to place Schriver on the ground next to the car before carrying him to a police cruiser.
Schriver was treated at the scene by emergency medical personnel for his eyes being irritated from the pepper spray and transported by AREA Services Ambulance to Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital for a blood test.
Police said two bottles of beer, which were half full, were found inside Schriver's car.
Kayla Hart, a back seat passenger, was not charged. Police said Hart cooperated with police and told Schriver and Nash to listen to the officers' orders.
Realizing Schriver had been drinking, Hart told police she offered multiple times to drive his car from his Trevorton home to drop off Nash's younger brother in Coal Township, but Schriver insisted he was OK. Hart said after Nash's brother was dropped off, Schriver started driving recklessly despite her pleas for him to slow down.
Hart said she saw Schriver throw punches at police officers until he was detained, police said.
Schriver was also charged with misdemeanors of resisting arrest, obstructing administration of the law and disorderly conduct, and summaries of restriction on alcoholic beverages, careless driving, public drunkenness and a stop sign violation.
Schriver and Nash were detained in a holding cell at Northumberland County Prison in Sunbury before being arraigned later in the day by Magisterial District Judge Benjamin Apfelbaum. Schriver was released on $45,000 cash bail, while Nash was freed after posting $2,000 cash bail.