OIL CITY. Pa. (EYT) — Police say an Oil City man has been arrested on three felony counts of Intimidation of Witness and related charges stemming from an on-going investigation involving the loss of almost $100,000.00 from the Oil City VFW.
According to Oil City police, Randy Alan Carlson, 52, of Oil City, was taken into custody at the Venango County Courthouse and faces the following charges:
- Intimidation of Victims or Witnesses — (three counts), Felony 3
- Obstructing the Administration of Law or other Gov’t Functions, Misdemeanor 2
- Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution, Misdemeanor 2
- Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2
- Stalking, Misdemeanor 1
The charges stem from a long-term investigation into nearly $100,000.00 in loss at the Oil City VFW, which is an open and ongoing investigation, police say.
On Wednesday March 25, 2015, another suspect in the VFW investigation “came forward and provided police with information during a video/audio recorded interview and stated that Carlson had allegedly been oppressing his day-to-day life activities via phone calls, following him in public, and frequently stopping at his residence,” according to police.
Additionally, Carlson allegedly “directed the victim’s actions” and “directed the information that he was to provide to police during interviews pertaining to the loss at the VFW,” police say.
Carlson’s original intent for being at the Venango County Courthouse was to meet with Sheriff Eric Foy to dispute the suspension of his concealed carry permit, which was a suspension effective March 25, 2015, due to misconduct, according to police.
While being taken into custody on a warrant, Carlson allegedly made “unsolicited statements against his interest pertaining to the possession of concealed weapons in his vehicle,” police say.
Officers from the Oil City Police Dept. subsequently applied for, and were granted, a sealed search warrant for the vehicle, by District Judge Andrew Fish.
At approximately 2:45 p.m., officers executed the search warrant on Carlson’s vehicle and allegedly recovered a semi-automatic pistol and shotgun. Both were allegedly found to be loaded, according to police.
An additional criminal complaint was prepared for two counts of Firearms Not to be Carried Without a License, Felony 3, based on the evidence recovered from the search warrant service. An arrest warrant was issued for the firearms licensing violations, police say.
Carlson was subsequently arraigned before District Justice Andrew Fish, on both arrest warrants for all violations.
He was committed to the Venango County Jail in lieu of $400,000.00 straight bail.
