Oil City Man Faces Charges for Providing False Information to Purchase Firearm, Fleeing From Police

| May 9, 2021

CRANBERRY TWP., Pa. (EYT) – Charges have been filed against an Oil City man who reportedly fled from police who were attempting to serve a bench warrant on him at a local sporting goods store.

Court documents indicate the Franklin-based State Police filed criminal charges against 35-year-old Christopher Micha Daman on May 4.

According to a criminal complaint, Franklin-based State Police were contacted by the PIC (Pennsylvania Instant Check) Unit around 1:01 p.m. on October 22, 2020, reporting that Christopher Daman was at a local sporting goods store attempting to purchase a firearm.

State police were also notified that Daman had an active bench warrant in Crawford County for failure to appear, the complaint states.

At the scene, police found Daman standing at the sporting goods counter and attempted to make contact with him.

According to the complaint, Daman saw the trooper and “took off running” through the store. He reportedly ignored the troopers’ orders to stop and fled out of the door of the business into a parking lot. Police pursued Daman, giving verbal commands for him to stop, but he continued to flee.

The complaint states he also kept reaching into his jacket as though looking for something. A trooper was then able to physically take Daman to the ground. Daman continued to resist, keeping his hands under himself, making it difficult to handcuff him. However, after a short struggle, police were able to take him into custody.

When asked why he ran, Daman told the troopers it was because he knew he had a warrant due to failing to make a payment, the complaint indicates.

Police then spoke with the manager of the business who provided a copy of a firearm transaction record that Daman had filled out while attempting to purchase a Mossberg Patriot rifle, according to the complaint.

It was noted that on the firearm transaction record:
– On Question 21 (a) “Are you the actual transferee/buyer of the firearm?” Daman wrote “no.”
– On Question 21 (b) “Are you a fugitive from justice?” Daman left it blank.

The following charges were filed against Daman through Magisterial District Judge Patrick E. Lowrey’s office on May 4:

– Materially false written statement – purchase, delivery, transfer of firearm, Felony 3
– Flight To Avoid Apprehension/Trial/Punishment, Misdemeanor 2
– Statement Under Penalty, Misdemeanor 3

A preliminary hearing for the case has not yet been scheduled.

Court documents indicate Daman also has a case pending in Venango County Court of Common Pleas related to an incident on March 2, where he reportedly resisted arrest following a brief foot chase in Oil City.

RELATED:

Oil City Man Charged With Resisting Arrest Following Foot Chase


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