Male arrested for Possession of Heroin and Resisting Arrest

Monroe County District Attorney Detective Mario Orlando arrested ZECHARIAH RICHARD BERGER, 24 of East Petersburg PA for possessing heroin and resisting arrest.

On July 24, 2017 BERGER's girlfriend, Deanna M. PERRY contacted Detective Orlando reporting that BERGER had relapsed and is using heroin again. PERRY said she was afraid to go back to her residence located in Stroudsburg Borough. Detective Orlando went to her residence to speak with BERGER in an attempt to persuade him to contact a rehabilitation center and admit himself into an inpatient program. While speaking with BERGER, Detective Orlando observed BERGER manifesting the attributes of a person under the influence of heroin. During this time BERGER's girlfriend was packing his book bag with clothes and discovered a closed eyeglass case, which was later discovered to contain five (5) waxine baggies stamped "NOW OR NEVER" containing a white powdery substance believed to be heroin, one (1) empty syringe and one (1) unused Q-tip.

BERGER snatched the closed case out of PERRY'S hand and shoved it back into the book bag. Detective Orlando attempted to retrieve the bag and detain BERGER. BERGER began to actively resist Detective Orlando and was able to maintain a firm grip of the eyeglass case. Once BERGER was successfully taken in custody with assistance from Stroud Area Regional Police, Detective Orlando retrieved the case from BERGER. The case was damaged during the altercation exposing the contents (heroin) and was confiscated as evidence.

Charges were filed on July 24, 2017, including Resisting Arrest, Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. BERGER will appeared before Magisterial District Judge Kristina Anzini for his Preliminary Hearing on a later date. BERGER is currently incarcerated at the Monroe County Correctional Facility with a bail of $5,000 secured.