Area Man Charged With Resisting Arrest After Being Caught Shoplifting Waives Hearing

JEFFERSON CO., Pa. (EYT) – An Armstrong County man waived his hearing on Tuesday on charges for reportedly resisting arrest after being caught shoplifting from a business in Punxsutawney Borough.

Court documents indicate the following charges against 66-year-old Scott M Steffy, of Dayton, were waived for court on Tuesday, May 12:

– Resist Arrest/Other Law Enforcement, Misdemeanor 2
– Retail Theft-Take Merchandise, Summary

The charges have been transferred to the Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas.

Steffy is currently free on $15,000.00 unsecured bail.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred in Punxsutawney in late February.

Details of the case:

According to a criminal complaint, on Friday, February 28, the Punxsutawney Borough Police Department received a request via Jefferson County 9-1-1 to respond to the Dollar General store in Punxsutawney Borough for a report of a retail theft suspect in the business. It was reported that the man in question had been in the store on prior occasions and had stolen items.

Officer Winfield responded to the scene.

According to the complaint, the man, identified as Scott M. Steffy, took a variety of merchandise from the store, including food, paper plates, toothpaste, and fabric refresher. He reportedly placed the items in a shopping cart, went to the rear of the store, and began placing the items in yellow Dollar General plastic bags. He then went to the front of the store, passed by the points of sale, and exited without paying.

Officer Winfield stopped Steffy outside of the store, identified himself, and informed Steffy he had been observed stealing merchandise. Steffy was then ordered to turn around and place his hands behind his back, the complaint states.

According to the complaint, while Officer Winfield was attempting to arrest him, Steffy pulled away and was combative. Officer Winfield grabbed his hands and gave him multiple commands to stop resisting, but Steffy pulled away again and turned.

Officer Winfield then placed Steffy against the entrance doors. Steffy continued to resist, and Officer Winfield placed him on the ground. He continued to be combative and argumentative and struggled while being handcuffed, the complaint states.

Due to his resistance and the force it took to overcome his resistance, Steffy “inflicted a bloody nose to himself” during the incident. A medic unit was then summoned to attend to him.

According to the complaint, no receipt was found in the bag of stolen merchandise, and the total value of the merchandise was determined to be $68.55.

Steffy was transported to the Punxsutawney Area Hospital for treatment.

After being read his Miranda rights, Steffy was questioned and then admitted to stealing the merchandise, as well as merchandise from the same store on two prior occasions, the complaint notes.

Steffy was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline J. Mizerock at 9:11 a.m. on February 29.


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