A Kresgeville man in prison in a separate case faces an additional 115 counts after he repeatedly called the state police barracks following a traffic incident in Polk Township.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by trooper Scott Wysocky of the Pennsylvania State Police Lehighton barracks in the case against Gary Kauffmann:

The collision took place Nov. 13 on Interchange Road as a white sedan operated by Kauffmann, 36, was traveling south in the southbound lane and another vehicle was directly in front of it.

The sedan was driving erratically and would follow the second unit closely, then back off. The victim said she saw the sedan in her rear view mirror approaching the rear of her vehicle and not slowing down, and that it hit the rear of her vehicle.

The victim said both vehicles pulled onto the right shoulder of Interchange Road to assess the damages, and that Kauffmann kept asking if she was calling the police and he said his name was Gary.

The victim said that when she told him she was contacting the police, Kauffmann got back into his vehicle and fled the scene.

The victim described the vehicle as a white sedan, possibly Honda, low to the ground with front-end damage and was able to get a partial registration number.

A passer-by stopped at the crash scene and said that the sedan was on Bear Road off Burger Hollow Road.

Wysocky then cleared the crash scene and proceeded to Bear Road, where he saw the sedan with Honda emblems and heavy front-end damage on the side of the road in front of a resident’s driveway.

The homeowner said that Kauffmann was removing parts from the vehicle, but when he was approached, began to walk down the street. The property owner followed Kauffmann and saw that he removed his shirt and put a black jacket on before running into the woods, though he did not follow. Wysocky showed the property owner a Pennsylvania driver’s license photo of Kauffmann, and he was able to identify him.

Kauffmann later called PSP Lehighton to report his car stolen. Troopers arrived at Kauffmann’s residence on Holly Lane in Polk Township, but he failed to comply with basic commands.

Wysocky told Kauffmann to remove his hands from his pockets several times and to keep distance for COVID-19 and officer safety reasons, but Kauffmann kept getting closer and putting his hands in his pocket, one time removing a black round cylindrical object, at which time Wysocky unholstered his conducted electrical weapon for his safety.

Kauffmann was asked to provide a written statement about his stolen vehicle, and kept saying it was white, had four doors, four tires that were round, black interior and had a steering wheel.

He also said that he did not know how to write his statement, and was still putting his hands in his pockets and getting close to officers.

Kauffmann then began recording officers, and got about one foot away from trooper Eddie Ortiz, and when Ortiz gave a verbal command to keep his distance, Kauffmann refused.

Kauffmann was then placed under arrest for persistent disorderly conduct but began to resist arrest, at which time Wysocky initiated a drive stun from his conducted electrical weapon to Kauffmann’s right leg to gain compliance.

Kauffmann was then handcuffed and placed in a patrol vehicle.

Monroe County Assistant District Attorney Andrew Kroeckel advised them to release Kauffmann and file charges.

After this incident, Kauffmann began to call PSP Lehighton well over 100 times through the rest of the night with nonemergent issues, and was asking for fast food items and playing a radio over a recorded emergency line.

Kauffmann faces charges on 115 accounts of obstruction administrative law/other government functions; and one count each of accidents involving damage to attended vehicle or property; false reports; careless driving; operating a vehicle in willful and wanton disregard for safety of persons or property; follow too closely; fail to stop and give information and/or render aid to those involved in an accident; and fail to report accident to police.

He is currently incarcerated in the Monroe County Correctional Facility, and is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing Jan. 8, 2021, before District Judge Colleen Mancuso of Brodheadsville.