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Former detective Brian Romberger is charged with multiple counts after stealing prescription pills from the Derry Township Police Department evidence room. Romberger is scheduled for arraignment Feb. 24, 2015.

The former Derry Township detective who was charged after stealing more than 300 prescription drug pills from the department's evidence room also is charged for possession of heroin and fentanyl after an overdose.

Brian Romberger, 43, of Annville, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia on Monday morning. Both misdemeanors stem from a Sept. 28 incident where he had a drug overdose, according to charging documents.

Officer Skyler Snyder, of North Londonderry police, responded to a call at Romberger's home about 7 p.m. Sept. 28 shortly after EMS had been dispatched. Snyder wrote that Romberger's wife, Lawrie, said she found him slumped over in the car and moved him to the garage floor. Romberger was reportedly unresponsive for several minutes prior to the arrival emergency services, Snyder said in the probable cause affidavit.



As first responders began treatment, they said it was for a drug overdose, noting white powder around Romberger's nose, Snyder said in his report. Romberger's wife said that she didn't think he was using illegal drugs because he had just completed rehab adding that Romberger had been addicted to OxyContin, Snyder said in the charging documents.

Upon searching the car, Lawrie Romberger found a plastic baggie with a straw and wrapping paper, both of which had a white powder like residue on them. She also found a black nylon camera case with seven more wrappers with a further search of the vehicle. Police tested the powder and two weeks later the bags came back positive for heroin and fentanyl.

Brian Perry, Romberger's attorney, said his client became addicted to prescription pills after a car accident. Perry said Romberger currently is receiving treatment for his addiction.

"This case is another example of the epidemic of prescription pain killer abuse," Perry said. "When people addicted to the pills can't get them, they typically turn to a cheaper and more readily available opiate, heroin. Brian's addiction started with an injured back and ended with a heroin overdose on his garage floor."

Derry Township police Chief Patrick O'Rourke said he didn't think Romberger was selling or sharing the pills he stole, adding that the addiction to heroin developed after Romberger resigned from the force Sept. 3.

Former Derry Township Police Officer arrested 8 Gallery: Former Derry Township Police Officer arrested

"Cops are human but there are programs out there to help with these types of issues," O'Rourke said. "I hope he gets better, but you can't excuse unethical conduct."

O'Rourke said this incident speaks to how addictive opiates are, adding that its hard to picture a man he worked with for so long in that circumstance.



"If you would have told me this was going to happen [I wouldn't have said it was Romberger]," O'Rourke said. "This guy was on top of his game."