PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (EYT) – A Jefferson County man is facing a laundry list of charges after he kicked three officers and spit in a trooper’s face.
According to court documents, the Punxsutawney Boro Police Department filed the following criminal charges against 33-year-old James Bernard Grove, of Punxsutawney, on April 9:
– Aggravated Assault, Felony 2 (three counts)
– Resist Arrest/Other Law Enforcement, Misdemeanor 2 (three counts)
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2 (three counts)
– Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Misdemeanor 2 (three counts)
– Harassment – Subject Other to Physical Contact, Summary (three counts)
– Criminal Mischief/Damage Property Intent, Reckless, Or Negligence, Summary (two counts)*
The charges stem from an incident that occurred at a residence in Punxsutawney Borough on April 6.
According to a criminal complaint, around 9:06 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, Jefferson County 9-1-1 received a call from a woman in Punxsutawney Borough informing the dispatcher that her husband – James Bernard Grove – was locked in the bathroom and had cut his wrist with a knife and was out of control.
Upon the arrival of Officer Andrekovich, of the Punxsutawney Borough Police Department, he went to the upstairs bathroom, as the caller told him that her husband was in the bathtub and is bleeding.
Officer Andrekovich went into the bathroom and saw Grove seated in the tub with a large amount of blood on the floor and in the bathtub water. Grove told Officer Andrekovich to get the “(expletive) out” or he was going to kick his (expletive), according to the complaint.
At this time, Punxsutawney State Police entered the residence. Troopers Abernathy and Jacoby walked upstairs as Grove got out of the bathtub and walked toward them nude.
There was a large amount of blood pouring from Grove’s right hand, and he became agitated telling the officers that he was going to “(expletive) them up,” the complaint states.
One of the troopers ordered Grove to stop or he would use his Taser.
Grove stopped and turned around and placed his hand behind his back, stating: “Oh well, I have been in jail before,” according to the complaint.
Officer Andrekovich handcuffed Grove and Trooper Abernathy helped him assist Grove to the ambulance. Grove became combative and stated: “I (expletive) your wife,” and then began kicking Trooper Abernathy.
Grove was taken to the floor to stop his resistance and kicking.
Trooper Abernathy placed pants on Grove while he was on his stomach, and he continued to kick the officers.
Grove was taken down the stairs to the ambulance personnel at the side door and placed on a gurney. He continued to resist and then spit in Trooper Abernathy’s face two separate times.
He was transported to Punxsutawney Area Hospital for treatment of the cuts that he inflicted on himself earlier.
He was arraigned at 12:20 p.m. on April 12 in front of Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline J. Mizerock.
He is free on $10,000.00 unsecured bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on May 7 in Judge Mizerock’s office.
*Note: The criminal mischief charges stem from damages to Trooper Abernathy and Officer Andrekovich’s blood-soaked uniforms (from Grove’s cuts), as well as Officer Andrekovich’s holster being damaged while Grove resisted.
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