Arrests.
An off-duty Richland Township police officer was forced to confront a man at gunpoint outside his home last month after the suspect allegedly banged on multiple doors in the neighborhood and attempted to gain entry into the officer’s residence.
Police said the incident occurred shortly after 10:20 p.m. Dec. 7 in Richland Township, when officers were dispatched for a report of a male subject being held at gunpoint inside a home. The caller identified himself as an off-duty Richland Township police officer, according to the affidavit of probable cause.
The suspect, identified as Quentin Jerome Bucher, 45, of Perkasie, was taken into custody at the scene by responding officers.
Police said Bucher had been banging on several doors in the neighborhood and, by his own statements, was drawn to a residence where a marked Richland Township police vehicle was parked out front.
Investigators said Bucher opened the storm door of the officer’s home and began forcefully banging on the door, waking the officer, who feared someone was attempting to break into the residence while his wife and two children were inside.
According to the affidavit, the off-duty officer confronted Bucher at gunpoint and ordered him to his knees, where he complied until on-duty officers arrived.
Ring camera footage provided to police reportedly showed Bucher crouching on the porch before quickly moving out of view. Officers noted Bucher was wearing a backpack and carrying a bag later identified as containing alcohol, according to the complaint.
When searched incident to arrest, police said Bucher smelled of alcohol and was found in possession of an about 80% full bottle of vodka and a pocketknife. Investigators also alleged Bucher appeared intoxicated, argumentative, and resistant throughout the encounter.
He later required medical evaluation and was transported to St. Luke’s Upper Bucks Hospital, where police said he continued to be disruptive and had to be restrained and sedated to allow staff to provide care.
A subsequent search of Bucher’s backpack uncovered a small amount of suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia, including a capped and used syringe, police said. Due to his behavior, officers were unable to complete standard processing at the time.
Bucher was charged with four counts of felony criminal trespass, misdemeanor counts of loitering and prowling at night, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and disorderly conduct, and summary public drunkenness, according to court records.
Bucher was jailed on 10% of $250,000 cash bail, according to court records. A preliminary hearing is set for Feb. 5 before Magisterial District Judge Lisa J. Gaier.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
