Plum cop charged with DUI after found sleeping in running pickup, police say

A Plum patrolman was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after another Plum officer found him asleep behind the wheel of a running vehicle, police said.

Ryan E. Schneiderlochner, 51, of Plum is scheduled for a preliminary hearing April 26 on the charge filed Jan. 24, according to court records.

Schneiderlochner was not identified as a police officer in a criminal complaint filed by Plum Patrolman Jacob Kingerski.

In response to a request for comment, police Chief Lanny Conley said his department can’t comment on individual personnel matters.

“The Plum Borough Police Department takes impaired driving very seriously, and it is imperative that the members of our department ensure the safety of the Plum Borough community and those who travel our roadways,” Conley said in an email.

Plum Manager Michael Thomas said Schneiderlochner, an officer in Plum for nearly 25 years, is still working. His annual base salary for 2023 is about $98,900.

Because Schneiderlochner is charged with a misdemeanor offense, a mandatory suspension under the state’s Confidence in Law Enforcement Act does not apply, Thomas said.

“That does not mean there will not be discipline recommended,” Thomas said. “It’s council’s decision.”

Schneiderlochner’s defense attorney, Timothy Kidd, could not be reached for comment.

In the criminal complaint, Kingerski said he found a pickup sitting at the intersection of New Texas and Saltsburg roads around 3:44 a.m. Jan. 21. Kingerski said he pulled next to the pickup and saw a man sleeping in the driver’s seat, slumped over with his chin touching his chest.

The keys were in the ignition and the vehicle was running.

Kingerski parked his patrol vehicle behind the pickup with its emergency lights activated. As Kingerski got out, the taillights of the pickup flashed, according to the complaint.

Kingerski identified the driver as Schneiderlochner, who was visibly intoxicated, the complaint said.

According to the complaint, Schneiderlochner said he was driving home south on New Texas Road, but Kingerski knew he lives to the north.

Schneiderlochner’s eyes were red and bloodshot, his speech was slow and lethargic, and a strong odor of alcohol was coming from his breath and person, the complaint said.

When asked how many alcoholic beverages he had consumed, Schneiderlochner said, “a little,” but would not elaborate on what he drank, the complaint said.

According to the complaint, Schneiderlochner said he would conduct standard field sobriety tests but began to reach for the gear shifter. Another officer, Eric Belton, told him to turn off the pickup and step out, the complaint said.

Schneiderlochner began to fall as he stepped out of the pickup, and Kingerski and Belton caught him before he hit the ground, according to the complaint.

The sobriety tests were not done because Schneiderlochner was not able to stand on his own, the complaint states.

Schneiderlochner was taken to AHN Forbes Hospital, where he consented to a blood draw, police said. His blood alcohol level was not provided in the criminal complaint.

Schneiderlochner was taken to the police station for processing and then taken home and released to his wife, the complaint said.