A homeless man — whom officers identified as a felon — faces charges of illegally possessing a gun in Scranton on Saturday night, police said.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Donnelly Court around 9:54 p.m. for the report of a domestic incident, according to a criminal complaint. Before the officer arrived on scene, he was informed by a county dispatcher that a physical altercation occurred between a male and female, police said. Additionally, the officer was told the male allegedly stole the caller’s firearm.
The female caller identified the male as Christopher Strobert and told officers he was temporarily staying at the residence because he didn’t have anywhere else to live, police said.
The woman, who police said is approximately five months pregnant, told officers Strobert punched her in the face and stomach, according to the criminal complaint.
A neighbor took a child from inside the home into her care during the altercation, police said.
Strobert fled the scene with the gun in a black Nissan Altima with a New Jersey registration, officers said.
While the woman was at a hospital to be evaluated, she called a friend of Strobert’s who persuaded him to return the gun to the residence, police said.
After conducting a criminal records check, officers learned Strobert was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a previous felony burglary conviction, according to the criminal complaint.
Police charged Strobert, 30, with unlawful possession of a firearm, simple assault, harassment and possession of drug paraphrenia.
As of Monday, Strobert remained in Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is set for July 16 at 11 a.m.