A Lansdale man is facing felony and misdemeanor charges following an alleged drug-fueled incident at the Reading Regional Airport on Tuesday afternoon.
According to a release by the Bern Township Police Department, police were dispatched to Route 183 near the Reading Regional Airport at 2:20 p.m. on Dec. 15 for a report of a male that was displaying erratic behavior, including rolling in the grass and jumping in front of passing vehicles. Upon arrival, police said they observed the male — later identified as 38-year-old Norman Lee, of Lansdale — climbing over a 10-foot-tall, barbed wire fence to enter the airport property.
Once over the fence, police said Lee broke into a red plow truck that was idling in preparation for the incoming snow storm, and began driving on the restricted portion of the airport. Police then notified air traffic control to divert landing until the incident was over, however one inbound aircraft had to make a last-minute maneuver to avoid landing as the incident progressed, police said.
Due to the vehicle having its plow lowered, the truck eventually became stuck in the grass, at which point Lee attempted to flee the scene on foot, police said. After a brief foot pursuit, police caught up to Lee and took him into custody, the report states.
Police said that Lee resisted arrest and appeared to be under the influence of narcotics, and due to his level of intoxication, he was transported to Penn State Health St. Joseph’s Campus for medical treatment. Police added that while Lee was being medically evaluated, he continued to resist arrest and, at one point, spit into a deputy’s face.
As a result of the incident, Lee has been charged with felony counts of aggravated assault and theft by unlawful taking, as well as misdemeanor charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and criminal mischief.
Lee was arraigned on Dec. 17 by Magisterial District Judge Brian Strand, who set bail at $100,000 cash. Lee was then remanded to the Berks County Correctional Facility after failing to post bail, and his next court appearance is a preliminary hearing on Dec. 29 at 10:30 a.m. in front of Judge Strand.
(All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause.)
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