An officer was northbound on Dresden Avenue Wednesday when he began following a vehicle traveling 30 mph in the 55 mph zone, which he reported went across the white lines twice. The officer attempted to pull over the vehicle with his lights and siren, but it reportedly continued on, turning into the Walmart plaza, where it stopped. The driver gave the name of Clyde R. Frank III, a birthdate and Social Security number, but the physical description of that person did not match the driver's. He placed the driver in his cruiser but the man jumped out the window, and the officer pursued him on foot through the parking lot. The officer deployed his Taser, but the man's jacket was too thick and the probes wouldn't stick, so the officer dry-stunned him in the neck with the Taser, taking him to the ground. At the police station, the driver was identified as Merle C. Schreffler, 36, state Route 172, Hanoverton, who had two outstanding warrants for child support. He was charged with failure to comply with a police officer's order, resisting arrest and providing false information. During the officer's conversation with Schreffler, he reportedly said the officer had "missed" marijuana he had stuffed in the seat and the marijuana his passenger had on him. The St. Clair Township K-9 unit was called, and canine officer Axel alerted on the car, where the officer reported finding a baggie with suspected marijuana on the seat. It tested positive for marijuana, and Schreffler was additionally charged with possession of marijuana and driving under suspension.
