New Kensington police accuse man of scuffling with officers during traffic stop, bringing drugs into jail

New Kensington police accused a man of injuring two officers while resisting arrest after a traffic stop and then bringing drugs into the jail where he was being detained.

Michael Paul Beer, 32, of the 1000 block of Cleveland Avenue in Brackenridge was charged with felony counts of aggravated assault and drug possession along with counts of resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia. He also was issued two traffic citations.

Beer was released from custody on a $5,000 unsecured bond. He was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing before District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr. on Nov. 2, court records show.

Police wrote in a criminal complaint that an officer pulled over a Chevy Silverado shortly after 6 p.m. Oct. 13 in the 800 block of Seventh Street because the license plate had a tinted covering that made it difficult to see.

Beer was confrontational with officers and refused to allow them to search the pickup after a police dog detected narcotics inside the vehicle, the complaint said.

When a tow truck arrived to impound the truck, Beer began screaming at the operator, police said. Beer became aggressive with the tow operator after he was told the key would have to stay with the truck while it was being towed to ensure the vehicle wasn’t damaged, the complaint said.

Police said Beer began pushing an officer when he got between him and the driver and scuffled with two officers when they tried to place him in handcuffs.

The officers suffered cuts and bruises to their knees, hands and elbows while taking Beer into custody, the complaint said.

Investigators said Beer ignored several signs posted inside the New Kensington police station warning against bringing drugs into the booking area.

When an officer searched Beer before putting him in a holding cell, he found two stamp bags of suspected heroin that were marked “Filet Mignon,” according to his arrest papers.