A 58-year-old Fell Twp. man stopped Sunday on the Casey Highway for driving a side-by-side in the roadway — while reportedly responding to a fire — was illegally carrying a firearm and had a revoked license, police said.
While conducting speed enforcement near Archbald around 4:50 p.m., Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Kevin Gaffney observed a man operating the blue-and-white vehicle, according to a criminal complaint.
Gaffney immediately pursued the vehicle, activating his patrol car’s lights and sirens to signal the driver to pull over, but the vehicle didn’t initially stop, police said.
When the vehicle eventually pulled over to the shoulder of the road, the driver identified himself as Timothy MacDonald, according to the criminal complaint.
MacDonald was convicted of six DUI offenses — including three or more in a five-year period — barring him from possessing a firearm, according to the criminal complaint. Also, as a habitual offender, his license has been revoked until May 16, 2028, police said.
MacDonald told Gaffney he “runs with the Olyphant Hose Company #2” and was bringing his personal side-by-side vehicle to a brush fire off Marshwood Road, police said.
Gaffney spotted a firearm next to the driver’s seat and noted MacDonald failed to notify him that there was a loaded gun inside the vehicle, according to the criminal complaint.
Additionally, MacDonald did not have a permit to carry a concealed weapon, police said. MacDonald told Gaffney the gun belonged to a friend and he was just holding it for him.
Gaffney seized the semiautomatic handgun, loaded with one round in the chamber and five rounds in the magazine, according to the criminal complaint.
Police charged MacDonald, 5 Reservoir St., Apt. 3, Simpson, with carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a prohibited firearm, a habitual offender violation and two summary traffic violations.
MacDonald was released on $25,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 16 at 11:15 a.m.