Lansford brothers charged in Tamaqua
Two Lansford brothers were cited by Tamaqua police after an incident involving a handgun on June 20.
Police were dispatched to 74 Hunter St. at 5:32 p.m. after a caller said someone pulled a gun on him, then left in a white Nissan, with tinted windows, that was last seen heading east on Broad Street.As the officer left the police station and went to turn onto Broad Street, he saw a car that matched the description and followed it while continuing to receive information from the Schuylkill County Communications Center.There were three occupants in the car and the driver pulled over to the side in the 700 block of East Broad Street.The officer ordered the driver out of the vehicle and identified him as Andrew Miller, 30, of 235 E. Ridge St. The two passengers were identified as Andrew's mother and brother, Regina Miller, 58, and Christopher Miller, 26, also of the Lansford address.Miller had a 9 mm Smith and Wesson handgun and a badge marked "fugitive recovery agent" ( also known as a bounty hunter) on his hip. The younger brother was also searched and a red and silver pipe was removed from his pocket.Both men were taken to the police station while another officer went to the Hunter Street address to talk with the man who called police, James Ortiz, 45.Ortiz said Andrew Miller had been accusing him of theft. He told Miller he didn't steal anything and that Miller should call police if he thought he was a thief. Miller then got into his car, pulled up in front of Ortiz and pointed a gun at his face.Miller taunted the man, telling him he hoped there was a warrant for his arrest so he "could come back and kick his ass." The Nissan then drove off.Christopher Miller said his brother wanted to talk to Ortiz about a stolen baton and did pull out his badge and gun before driving away.Andrew Miller said he didn't call police about the theft because he wanted to continue talking to Ortiz.He took out the gun and badge to place them in the center console of the car. Ortiz then yelled, "Oh, you're going to pull a gun on an unarmed man." At that, Miller drove off.Christopher Miller was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and released.The fugitive recovery agent was charged with making terroristic threats, harassment, disorderly conduct, impersonating a public servant, simple assault (menace) and reckless endangerment. He was arraigned before District Judge James Ferrier, of Orwigsburg, who set bail at $15,000 straight cash. Miller was incarcerated in the Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville.