Heicklen arrested twice, charged with soliciting

Retired Penn State professor Julian Heicklen, who is running for Centre County commissioner, was arrested Friday and again Saturday after campaigning in front of Wal-Mart, 373 Benner Pike.

Wal-Mart management does not allow any solicitation and asked Heicklen to stop distributing political information Friday. When he refused, management contacted the State College Police Department.

Upon arrival, police officers told Heicklen to leave or he would be arrested for criminal trespass. Heicklen then laid motionless on the ground at the front entrance, at which point the officers arrested him and carried him to a patrol car.

District Justice Bradley Lunsford released Heicklen on nominal bail for the criminal trespass charge.

Saturday, Heicklen returned to Wal-Mart and again began distributing political information. Wal-Mart management contacted the police upon his refusal to leave.

Heicklen again remained motionless on the ground when two officers attempted to arrest him. The officers told Heicklen lying motionless would add a disorderly conduct charge in addition to the second criminal trespass he had incurred, but Heicklen refused to move.

Both officers were injured while attempting to carry Heicklen to the patrol car. One is unable to work because he suffered a double hernia and may need surgery.

District Justice Daniel Hoffman placed Heicklen in Centre County Prison Saturday in lieu of $75,000 bail. Heicklen was still in custody yesterday.

-- by Beth Baumgardner