Altoona, PA – Police in Altoona arrested eight individuals after responding to two separate overdose incidents that led to the discovery of heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine at a residence on 5th Avenue. Authorities say the suspects face multiple felony drug charges, including possession with intent to deliver.
The Incident: Overdose Calls Lead to Major Arrests
On October 24, Altoona Police were dispatched to a suspected overdose on the 2000 block of 5th Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found Jordan Woolridge, 23, on the front porch, conscious and responsive, though initially denying that he had overdosed.
While police were at the scene, another man reportedly left the residence and was allowed to leave after speaking with officers. Woolridge declined medical treatment, and police cleared the scene shortly afterward.
Later that day, authorities received new information suggesting that drug trafficking was occurring inside the same residence. A confidential source informed Pennsylvania State Police that Holly Bennett, 35, was inside with two to three bundles of heroin/fentanyl, and that the source had previously purchased drugs from Bennett and Woolridge.
Investigation and Evidence Found
Police were soon called to a second overdose—this time on the 600 block of 5th Avenue—where the caller reported that five doses of Narcan had failed to revive a man. Investigators learned that the individual who overdosed had earlier been at the 2000 block of 5th Avenue, during the initial call, and had since been taken to UPMC Altoona in critical condition.
Following this revelation, Altoona Police and Pennsylvania State Police obtained a search warrant for the residence. When officers returned to execute it, three suspects attempted to flee.
Police say Nicholas Yohrling, 37, William Hampton, 46, and Anna Knipple, 33, tried to run from the house but were quickly detained. Inside, officers located Woolridge, Bennett, Nicole Lonergan, 38, Melissa Vonarx, 42, and Joshua Anspach, 47, who were all taken into custody without incident.
During the search, police seized a significant quantity of narcotics, including:
- 34 packets of heroin/fentanyl
- 5 grams of raw fentanyl
- 20 grams of methamphetamine
- 8 suboxone strips
Charges and Legal Proceedings
All eight suspects have been charged with possession with intent to deliver controlled substances, including heroin/fentanyl and methamphetamine. Court documents indicate that all but one of the suspects—Vonarx—were transported to Blair County Prison.
Bail amounts for the individuals range from $250,000 to $300,000. Police say additional charges may be filed as toxicology reports and ongoing investigations confirm the sources of the drugs involved in the overdoses.
Authorities described the operation as a joint effort between the Altoona Police Department and Pennsylvania State Police, crediting quick coordination for preventing further overdoses in the area.
Community and Law Enforcement Response
Officials say the arrests highlight the widespread impact of fentanyl and methamphetamine in Blair County, where overdose calls have surged in recent years. Police emphasized that multiple lives were at risk due to the distribution of dangerous narcotics in residential neighborhoods.
“This investigation underscores how quickly overdose calls can turn deadly and how drug trafficking threatens every part of our community,” said a spokesperson for the Altoona Police Department.
Community members have expressed relief over the arrests but also concern about the rising number of overdoses involving synthetic opioids. Law enforcement agencies across Pennsylvania continue to warn residents about the lethal potency of fentanyl, often mixed with other drugs without the user’s knowledge.
Background: Overdose Crisis in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania remains one of the hardest-hit states in the ongoing opioid epidemic. According to state data, more than 5,000 overdose deaths were reported statewide in 2023, with fentanyl being the leading cause.
Authorities have been expanding Narcan distribution programs, community outreach, and partnerships between local and state agencies to combat the crisis. However, officials say trafficking arrests like this one in Altoona are critical to stemming the flow of deadly substances into neighborhoods.
Conclusion
The eight arrests in Altoona represent a major disruption to what police describe as an active drug distribution network tied to recent overdoses. As the suspects await court hearings, investigators continue working to determine whether the recovered narcotics are connected to other overdose incidents in Blair County.
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