Additional details concerning last week’s arrest near Souderton Area High School, which forced a district-wide two-hour delay, have been released following a police filing in the local district court.
Police were dispatched to the JBS Meat Packing Plant at Allentown and Lower roads at 5:25 a.m. on Oct. 17 for a report of a domestic disturbance in the parking lot. Police said the female involved in the incident had an active Protection from Abuse order against a male at the scene, however when they attempted to arrest him, he fled on foot into a wooded area on Lower Road and could not be located.
According the the criminal complaint, the male — identified in court documents as 21-year-old Romance Allen, of Philadelphia — was allegedly standing outside of his ex-girlfriend’s vehicle and threatened to kill her and her family if she didn’t open her window. Allen also threatened to damage the woman’s vehicle, police said.
The woman then locked herself in the vehicle and called police.
Arriving police attempted to make direct contact with Allen, however he backed away and fled on foot, losing police as he headed towards Lower Road, police said.
"Out of an abundance of caution, the Souderton Area School District was placed on a two-hour delay, with the high school campus in close proximity to the search area,” police said.
Aided by units from Souderton, Telford, Towamencin and Montgomery Township police departments, Allen was located near JBS at 7:30 a.m. in the yard of a nearby private residence. He was then taken into custody, police said.
No injuries were reported.
The school district initially alerted parents to the delay just after 7 a.m., and a second email was sent at 7:48 a.m. confirming the two-hour delay and advising that school bus pickups may be delayed.
"Thank you for your patience this morning as we worked with our law enforcement partners,” the district said. "The Franconia Police Department apprehended a suspect in the vicinity of the high school at approximately 7:30 a.m. this morning. School was delayed out of an abundance of caution as the search was underway.”
The district said at no point was there any danger to students or staff.
As a result of the incident, Allen was charged with misdemeanor counts of terroristic threats, evading arrest, and stalking, as well as a summary charge of harassment. Court records indicate Allen was taken to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in lieu of $5,000 cash bail following his preliminary arraignment.
His next court appearance is a preliminary hearing on Dec. 3 at 1:30 p.m. in front of Magisterial District Judge Albert Augustine.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause.
See also:
Suspect Fleeing Domestic Incident Caused Souderton Area School District to Open on Two-Hour Delay
Police Activity at Souderton Area High School Forces District to Open on Two-Hour Delay
