Pottstown Man, Saved From Gang Assassination, Charged With Drug-Induced Felonies
By Jim Melwert
POTTSTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- On the same day officials in Montgomery County, Pa. announced dozens of arrests from a gang-related investigation in and around Pottstown, a man whose life was likely saved by that investigation was arrested -- on charges he tried to steal a delivery truck while high on PCP.
Court documents related to the gang investigation say that back in February, police were able to stop an alleged assassination attempt of Lazaro "Laz" Morgalo, taking him into custody on public drunkeness after, the documents allege, they heard on a wiretap that a rival gang was going to try to kill him on the streets of Pottstown.
The same day the 30+ gang member arrests were announced, Morgalo was himself arrested. Around 4:30pm, police say, he was identified by multiple witnesses as the man who climbed onto a UPS truck and repeatedly rammed his shoulder into the driver.
The driver grabbed the keys and got out of the truck, telling police the man then sat in the driver's seat.
According to arrest documents, the police officer who arrested Morgalo says he had the smell of PCP on his breath, was slurring his words, and was not making sense. He is now facing several charges including carjacking, robbery, and simple assault.
