HARRISBURG, Pa. – Man was arrested at a Pennsylvania rally last week Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump had hoped to hang a banner to protest Trump’s policies, Johnstown’s police chief said Tuesday.
Steven A. Weiss, 36, of Pittsburgh, was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, authorities said. Trump rally on Friday.
Johnstown Police Chief Richard Pritchard said investigators don’t know what the banner said because arena workers apparently threw it away. He said it was made up in bed and Weiss told a detective that he didn’t believe in Trump’s policies.
Weiss faked a leg injury and hid a tube of glue in a metal crutch, Pritchard said.
Reached by phone Tuesday, Weiss declined to comment, saying he was taking legal advice.
An arrest affidavit from a Johnstown police detective said Weiss “ran to the floor of the arena, threw himself into the media stage.” [and] He started shouting towards the main stage where President Trump was speaking. Weiss allegedly would not free himself from the steel barricade fence and “force had to be used,” police said in the charging document.
A man accompanying Weiss to the rally told police he was unaware of Weiss’ plan, Pritchard said. The second man has not been charged, the chief said.
Weiss was also charged with disorderly conduct, disorderly conduct. The Secret Service questioned Weiss on Friday, and he was released later that night. His court hearing is scheduled for October 9.
A spokeswoman for the Trump campaign had no immediate comment Tuesday.
The outcry comes shortly after Trump criticized mainstream media outlets for what he said was unfavorable coverage.
As Weiss was led away, the former president told the crowd, “Is there any place more fun than a Trump rally?”
There was enhanced control security at Trump rallies since then the gunman shot himgrazes his ear during an outdoor rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July. Security at political events increases significantly tighter since then.