Pfahler

From Mirror staff reports

A Pittsburgh man was taken into custody after allegedly leading officers on a foot chase and trying to ditch two firearms in a residential backyard.

Travis James Pfahler, 38, was arraigned Monday by Magisterial District Judge Matthew Dunio on single felony counts of possession of a firearm prohibited, possession of a firearm with the manufacturer number altered and flight to avoid apprehension, as well as misdemeanor counts including tampering with evidence, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, possession of a weapon and possession of a controlled substance. In lieu of $200,000 bail, Pfahler was remanded to Blair County Prison.

An Altoona officer was dispatched to the area of 13th Street and 13th Avenue Alley about 1:02 a.m. on Monday for a report of a male, later identified as Pfahler, walking around with a gun, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

Upon arrival, the officer saw Pfahler walking along the 1500 block of 13th Avenue and, when the officer stopped his patrol vehicle, Pfahler started to walk faster. The officer exited his vehicle and tried to get Pfahler to return, but Pfahler told the officer he didn’t do anything, turned away and ran onto 16th Street, court documents state.

The officer chased Pfahler for a short distance before returning to his vehicle and calling for backup.

Officers managed to box Pfahler into the backyard of a residence, where Pfahler began throwing his belongings to the ground. Pfahler then tried to escape by jumping a fence, but was apprehended, the police report states.

Once Pfahler was in custody, officers searched the area where Pfahler was throwing his belongings and found a backpack, loaded pistol magazine and handgun on the ground. The handgun serial number was unidentifiable as the handgun was completely scratched, according to the affidavit.

Pfahler and his backpack were searched upon his arrest. A small amount of suspected crack cocaine and a pipe with residue were found in Pfahler’s pants pockets. His backpack contained 9mm rounds and a small scale, the report states.

Pfahler previously pleaded guilty to escape, which was graded a felony of the third degree on Nov. 30, 2021. This made him a person not to possess a firearm, according to court documents.

Pfahler is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in front of Magisterial District Judge Benjamin F. Jones on Feb. 5.