State police arrested a man from New Jersey on Wednesday following an incident at Saltsburg Pharmacy.
Troopers say on March 8, the pharmacy received a prescription fax that requested Phenergan-Codeine, Prednisone, and Azithromycin, but staff members concluded that it was fraudulent after contacting the prescribing physician directly and learning that it was not authorized.
A week later, a man identified as 25-year-old William Tifa of Newark attempted to pick up the prescription from the pharmacy, but left after staff members said it would take approximately 15 minutes to fill it.
Troopers add that Tifa called the pharmacy from a blocked number shortly after to ask if it was ready for pick-up and he returned to pick up the prescription around 12:18 p.m. Upon arrival, he was confronted by a member of the Saltsburg Borough Police Department and a physical altercation ensued, during which, Tifa bit the officer’s arm causing minor injuries.
State police from the Troop A barracks were called to assist on-scene. As they attempted to escort Tifa out of the store, he allegedly broke out of a trooper’s grasp, but was quickly apprehended by another officer.
Tifa was arraigned before Magisterial Judge Guy Haberl on felony charges of Assault of a Law Enforcement Officer; Acquiring or Obtaining Possession of a Controlled Substance by Misrepresentation, Fraud, Forgery, Deception or Subterfuge; and Criminal Use of a Communication Facility. He was also charged with misdemeanor counts of Resisting Arrest, Simple Assault, Identity Theft, and a summary count of Harassment.
Tifa was lodged in Indiana County Jail in lieu of $250,000 cash bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 30 at 10:45 a.m.
Below is the full news release, courtesy of Pennsylvania State Police-Indiana.
New Jersey Man Arrested, Charged with Assaulting Saltsburg Police Officer During Fraudulent Prescription Investigation
Saltsburg, PA – Troopers and a Saltsburg Borough Police Officer arrested a New Jersey man while investigating a fraudulent prescription incident yesterday at a pharmacy in Saltsburg Borough.
William Tifa, 25, of Newark, was charged with felony counts of Assault of Law Enforcement Officer; Acquiring or Obtaining Possession of a Controlled Substance by Misrepresentation, Fraud, Forgery, Deception or Subterfuge; and Criminal Use of a Communication Facility. He was also charged with misdemeanor counts of Criminal Attempt (Resisting Arrest), Simple Assault, Identity Theft, and a summary count of Harassment.
Tifa was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Guy B. Haberl and was remanded to the Indiana County Jail in lieu of $250,000 monetary bail.
On March 9, 2023, Troop A, Indiana received information concerning a fraudulent prescription that was sent via facsimile on March 8 to the Saltsburg Pharmacy, 237 Washington Street, Saltsburg Borough, Indiana County. The fraudulent prescription contained a request for Phenergan-Codeine, Prednisone, and Azithromycin.
Saltsburg Pharmacy staff determined that the prescription was fraudulent after contacting the prescribing physician directly and learning that the prescription was not authorized. Law enforcement, including the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, was then notified.
On March 15, 2023, an unknown male, later identified as Tifa, arrived at Saltsburg Pharmacy in an attempt to pick up the fraudulent prescription. Saltsburg Pharmacy staff advised the male that it would take approximately 15 minutes to fill the prescription. The male then left and indicated that he would be back.
The Saltsburg Borough Police Department was notified and an officer in full uniform responded to the pharmacy.
After calling the pharmacy from a blocked phone number to ask if the prescription was ready for pick-up, Tifa returned to the Saltsburg Pharmacy. Upon his return at approximately 12:18 p.m., pharmacy staff members recognized him as the same individual who had arrived earlier that day to pick up the fraudulent prescription.
The officer then confronted Tifa and attempted to take him into custody. A physical altercation ensued, during which Tifa bit the officer’s arm causing moderate injury. Troop A, Indiana Patrol Unit members responded to the pharmacy and assisted the Saltsburg officer with taking Tifa into custody. The unknown male suspect was then identified as Tifa.
As Tifa was being escorted out of the pharmacy by a trooper, he broke free from the trooper’s grasp and was quickly apprehended by a second trooper.
The injured officer was treated by EMS at the scene.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 30 at 10:45 a.m.
For more information on the Pennsylvania State Police, visit psp.pa.gov
Reference CAD Number: PA2023-331155; Investigating Officer: Tpr. Robert Shaw
MEDIA CONTACT: TFC. Cliff Greenfield, 724-357-1998 / Twitter: @PSPTroopAPIO
In the interest of transparency, it is the policy of PSP to disseminate information regarding incidents which are likely to generate significant interest among the public and media in a timely manner. While we make every effort to ensure the information is accurate to the best of our knowledge and belief, incidents are often fluid and rapidly evolving. Information provided should be considered preliminary and subject to change as additional investigative details emerge.
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