BLAKELY, PA — A 56-year-old Blakely man faces criminal charges after allegedly bringing a firearm into a local hair salon and making explicit threats toward municipal police officers.
According to a criminal complaint filed by local authorities, Frank Silver, of Academy Street, entered the Great Clips salon on Sept. 29 for a haircut while carrying a firearm. During the appointment, a staff member asked Silver if he had been up to anything new, to which he allegedly replied that he had an "interesting day" and had almost "dropped two cops" during a neighbor's arrest earlier that afternoon.
Witnesses reported that Silver became increasingly loud and aggressive, shouting in front of employees, customers, and children. The complaint states that Silver made explicit threats directed at Blakely police officers, including Police Chief Guy Salerno and Cpl. Michael Shaheen, who lives three doors down from Silver. Silver allegedly screamed that officers did not know the law, threatened physical assault, and cited his background as a former sheriff and ex-military member.
Blakely police confirmed officers had served an arrest warrant on Silver's neighbor earlier that day. During that incident, Silver allegedly interrupted the arrest, argued with officers, and threatened to beat up Shaheen using "karate moves".
Cpl. Shaheen confirmed he resides near Silver but noted he had no prior personal interactions with him before the incident.