MONROE TOWNSHIP - A 26-year-old Berwick male was remanded to Columbia County Prison after pulling a gun on the driver of an SUV and fleeing police officers along Route 11 in Monroe Township on Sunday, according to police.
Point Township Police Officer Nathan Fisher stopped a 2000 Nissan Pathfinder at 5:36 p.m. along Route 11 near County Line Road, Monroe Township, for an expired registration.
While attempting to identify everyone in the vehicle, the man in the back seat, later identified as Jason L. Musselman, 25, last known address of 610 Maple St., Berwick, gave the officer a false name, pointed a .25-caliber Titan handgun at the driver, who police declined to identify, and demanded him to take off.
The driver and other passenger quickly left the vehicle. Musselman and his unidentified girlfriend then climbed from the backseat into the front of the vehicle and fled south on Route 11 with officers in pursuit.
Police said Musselman threw the gun from the vehicle as he sped away. The weapon, with its serial number removed, was found on Route 11, court records show.
He lost control of the vehicle as he came to a curve near Tedd's Landing Inc., struck an oncoming vehicle and flipped onto its roof. Musselman fled the scene, but was taken into custody after a short pursuit.
Two unidentified occupants from the other vehicle were treated for minor injuries.
The Daily Item reported that in an interview with police, Musselman allegedly admitted giving a false name and fleeing police because he knew there was a warrant for his arrest.
A warrant was issued on May 19 after he failed to appear in Columbia County Court on charges of burglary, criminal trespass and theft. He also has drug charges pending in that county.
Musselman was arraigned before District Judge Edward Mihalik Jr. and was held in lieu of $100,000 bail on 12 felony and misdemeanor charges, including robbery of a motor vehicle, robbery, theft by unlawful taking, possession of a firearm with the serial number removed, unlicensed possession of a firearm and flight to avoid arrest.
He was immediately taken to Columbia County Prison, where he is being held on a bench warrant.
A preliminary hearing on the Snyder County charges is scheduled for Tuesday in Mihalik's court.