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WILKES-BARRE — Two men allegedly fought with officers at the scene of a Sunday night fire that left a home gutted.
Police say Michael Davis, 39, of Brooklyn, N.Y., exited the burning double-block home at 311 and 313 E. South St. after fire crews had entered, then tried to get back inside.
Jose Soto, 39, Wilkes-Barre, was the other man arrested, and he was found with a fully loaded handgun, according to officers.
Crews found substances in the home that are believed to be illegal drugs, authorities say. The substances will be tested to determine if they are drugs or accelerants used to start the blaze.
Here are more details from court papers:
Police were told by Wilkes-Barre Fire Chief Jay Delaney that his firefighters had encountered Davis as he shoved past them to gain entry into a room to remove an unidentified package.
Officers also saw Davis enter a black Honda Accord and back into a crowd of people, nearly hitting them.
Davis then tried to pass through caution tape as firefighters worked at the burning home, with officers explaining to him he could not cross the tape. Davis said he understood and would not do it again.
Shortly after, Davis pushed his way through a group of six to eight firefighters and paramedics to get back into the cordoned-off area. Officers tried to stop him, but he tried to push past the officers.
Ptlm. Shane Smith attempted to take Davis into custody, injuring both of his hands while attempting to handcuff him. Smith showed Davis his stun gun and told Davis it would be used on him if he continued to resist. Davis complied with officers at that point.
Soto then began threatening the firefighters assisting officers.
Soto was heard shouting something to the effect of “I’m going to ——ing slap you.” Officers ordered Soto to back away from the caution tape, but he instead ripped it down in defiance.
Smith attempted to cuff Soto, but he raised one hand in the air to prevent himself from being restrained. Smith saw a handgun tucked into Soto’s waistband, and disarmed him while other officers attempted to subdue him. The weapon was later identified as a fully loaded Glock with a round in the chamber.
Davis was charged with aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and other related counts. Soto was charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and obstruction.
Both men were arraigned by Sugarloaf District Judge Daniel O’Donnell on Monday. Bail for Davis was set at $25,000, while Soto’s was set at $2,500. They were housed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility ahead of their preliminary hearings — Oct. 10 for Davis and Oct. 12 for Soto.
