News

June 27, 2009

Cops: Man won’t drop gun, jailed

PLYMOUTH TWP. – A state police trooper used a Taser on a West Nanticoke man who allegedly refused orders to drop a gun on Thursday night.

Keith B. Lewis, 31, of 115 W. Poplar St., was arraigned Friday morning on counts of simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment. He was jailed at Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $5,000 bail.

According to the criminal complaint:

State police at Wyoming initially responded to a domestic dispute at Lewis’ home.

Troopers Patrick Reynolds and Anthony Stempien arrived around 11:44 p.m. to the West Poplar Street home where they spoke with Christina L. Shatrousky, 29, who had been struck, pushed and kicked by Lewis, according to the criminal complaint.

Shatrousky alleged Lewis had been drinking all night and an argument escalated.

Police attempted to speak with Lewis, who walked out of the home with a flashlight and what they thought was a black handgun, which turned out to be a BB gun, according to the criminal complaint.

Reynolds ordered Lewis to drop the weapon while holding him at gunpoint.

Lewis refused the trooper’s command.

Shatrousky ran over and grabbed Lewis, saying to police, “Don’t shoot, it’s a BB gun,” the criminal complaint states.

Lewis was ordered several more times to drop his weapon, but he refused to do so.

Reynolds was able to subdue Lewis after shocking him with the Taser.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for July 6 in Central Court.

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