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RICE TWP. — A man from South Carolina was arraigned Thursday on charges he struggled with a township police officer when the officer found a large knife concealed under his shirt sleeve.

Police say they stopped David Michael Watkins, 24, of Westminister, after they spotted him walking on Nuangola Road at about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Police were aware of a vehicle crash on Interstate 81 at which the driver walked away carrying a suitcase.

Watkins allegedly told police he crashed his vehicle and was on his way to his wife’s residence.

Police did not indicate the name of Watkins’ wife or where she lives in the criminal complaint.

The complaint says the officer frisking Watkins allegedly felt a knife tucked under his shirt sleeve, as well as an alleged marijuana pipe inside a pocket.

Police say in the complaint that Watkins refused to place his hands behind his back to be handcuffed. Watkins attempted to run away and was stopped when stunned by a Taser deployed by the officer, according to the complaint.

The complaint says police found Watkins in possession of the double-edged knife, a knife with a blade longer than 12 inches, a .22-caliber rifle wrapped in a green blanket, a plastic candy container with an unknown green substance and the alleged marijuana pipe.

Watkins is prohibited from carrying a firearm due to a felony burglary conviction in South Carolina, police said.

Watkins was arraigned by District Judge Joseph Halesey in Hanover Township on charges of illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of a weapon, resisting arrest, escape, disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $50,000 bail.

By Ed Lewis

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Reach Ed Lewis at 570-991-6116 or on Twitter @TLEdLewis