ALTOONA, PA — A man was arrested Thursday after police say he discarded a backpack containing crystal methamphetamine and fled on foot.
Officers from the Altoona Police Department and the Blair County Drug Task Force were conducting a warrant and interdiction detail on May 7, 2026, when they observed Benjamin Locke, 32, of Altoona, on the 2300 block of 8th Avenue.
Police say Locke looked over his shoulder after noticing a marked patrol vehicle approaching, then removed a backpack he was wearing and placed it into a garbage can before walking west along 8th Avenue.
Officers made contact with Locke and began speaking with him.
When asked why he had discarded the backpack, Locke denied ever possessing one, according to police.
An officer retrieved the backpack from the garbage can, at which time Locke fled on foot, police said.
After a brief foot pursuit, Locke was taken into custody.
While being placed under arrest, Locke repeatedly shouted, “Kill me, kill me,” according to police.
Officers obtained a search warrant for the backpack.
Upon execution of the search warrant, officers found approximately 672 grams of crystal methamphetamine inside the backpack, with an estimated street value of $60,000, police said.
Officers also seized $7,360 in U.S. currency.
Locke was charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, resisting arrest and escape.
He was transported to the Blair County Prison for arraignment.
Bail was set at $500,000 straight.
