Juvenile held on weapons charge
Rogers allegedly pulled gun on two people
A city juvenile was taken into custody after allegedly pulling a gun on two other juveniles.
Chevy Andrew Rogers, 17, was arraigned April 1 by Magisterial District Judge Benjamin F. Jones on one felony count each of aggravated assault and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, two misdemeanor counts of simple assault, single misdemeanor counts of possession of an instrument of crime with intent, receiving stolen property, recklessly endangering another person, resisting law enforcement, possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct.
Rogers was remanded to the Blair County Prison in lieu of $150,000 bail.
Altoona police were dispatched to the area of 1827 Union Ave. about 8:46 p.m. March 31 for a weapons call after a male, later identified as Rogers, drew a firearm on two individuals, which resulted in a physical altercation, according to the affidavit of probable cause.
On scene, officers spoke with the first victim, a 16-year-old juvenile, who complained of head pain. Officers noted the top of the victim’s head was red and had a small abrasion, which was swelling. When asked what happened, the victim said he and the second victim were walking home when Rogers started following and laughing at him, court documents state.
The victim told officers Rogers confronted him and a verbal argument ensued, which became heated. Rogers then pulled a handgun out of his waistband and pointed it at the victim, who was initially afraid for his life, but then believed it was a realistic-style BB gun. The victim said Rogers argued with him, trying to convince him it was a real gun, the police report states.
Rogers began striking the victim, first with his fists and then with the gun. The victim said he fell to the ground and was unsure how many times Rogers hit him, but did state it was a “few times.”
The second victim told police she tried to jump in and separate Rogers from the first victim and saw Rogers strike him about three or four times with the gun and about 10-15 times with a closed fist. She was then struck in the face by Rogers, court documents state.
A witness told officers he was driving along Union Avenue when he saw the first victim being attacked by Rogers. When he pulled over to break up the fight, the witness said he saw Rogers hit the first victim with the gun about two or three times in the head, the report states.
The first victim told officers he was able to put Rogers in a choke hold, immediately grabbed the gun and ripped it out of Rogers’s hands. The victim said he then heard police sirens approaching so he placed the gun on the ground away from Rogers, according to the affidavit.
Rogers was taken into custody and transported to UPMC Altoona for a small cut on the back of his head while officers took possession of his backpack. At the hospital, Rogers tried to push past officers standing in the doorway, grabbed an officer by the arms and tried to push past them. The officer had to grab Rogers and sit him down on the hospital bed, but Rogers again tried to stand up from his bed and leave the hospital room, court documents state.
When the officer grabbed Rogers to keep him from leaving, Rogers began thrashing his arms and trying to push past the officer, who then took Rogers to the hospital floor. Another officer stepped in and helped restrain Rogers while UPMC staff sedated him. After being sedated, Rogers threatened the officers, saying he was going to kill them after his CT scan, the report states.
At the Altoona Police Department, officers inventoried the items in Rogers’ backpack and found one Luger bullet, two BB gun speed reloaders, an empty pack of medical marijuana bubble gum and five prescription bottles containing Folic acid, Metoclopramide, Venlafaxine, Levetiracetam and Escitalopram, respectively. Officers confirmed the Luger bullet, Folic acid, Metoclopramide and Levetiracetam were reported as stolen in a March 27 burglary in Altoona, according to the affidavit.
Rogers is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in front of Jones on April 16.