CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – Authorities in Clarion say a Pittsburgh man was arrested on Saturday night after allegedly assaulting two police officers and resisting arrest during a traffic stop on Main Street in Clarion Borough.
According to police, 20-year-old Jermaine Walter Brown, Jr., of Pittsburgh, is facing charges for resisting arrest, assault, and multiple drug charges following a traffic stop that occurred on March 28.
A criminal complaint indicates that the traffic stop was initiated around 11:10 p.m. on a vehicle traveling on Main Street near the post office without its headlights illuminated.
Clarion Borough Police Officers Markle and Turnbull were assisting Officer Fox with the traffic stop at the time of the incident.
According to the criminal complaint, Officer Fox approached the driver’s side of the vehicle and advised the male driver of the reason he had been stopped while Officer Markle spoke with the passenger.
While speaking with the occupants of the vehicle and collecting information, both officers allegedly smelled a strong odor of Marijuana coming from the interior of the vehicle, the complaint continues.
Officer Markle allegedly informed the driver of the vehicle that two officers had smelled Marijuana coming from inside the vehicle, the complaint states.
The driver allegedly told Officer Markle there was nothing inside the vehicle. When Officer Markle asked the driver if he could look inside the vehicle the driver allegedly jumped out and said he could, according to the complaint.
Police allegedly advised each of the occupants – including Brown – that they need to conduct a personal search of each individual for safety reasons, continues the complaint.
During the search, Brown allegedly engaged in a physical altercation with Officer Turnbull on the sidewalk. After allegedly punching Officer Turnbull in the chin, Brown took off and began running south on Deitz Street, according to the complaint.
As Officers Turnbull and Markle pursued Brown, he allegedly tripped and slid across the pavement. When the officers reached Brown and attempted to place him into custody, Brown allegedly continued to resist, striking both officers in the arm and chest area, the complaint indicates.
Officers Turnbull and Markle were able to place Brown in custody after approximately five minutes, the complaint indicates.
As Brown resisted police, a vehicle stopped on Deitz Street and a male allegedly jumped out of the vehicle in an attempt to assist Brown. The driver of this vehicle was advised by police to stay where he was with his hands up, the complaint continues.
Prior to placing Brown in the police car for transport, officers allegedly found two bags of what appeared and smelled like Marijuana in Brown’s left rear pants pocket, according to the complaint.
“I am disturbed by the actions this man took against our officers,” said Clarion Borough Police Chief Mark Hall. “This type of behavior is just unacceptable in today’s society.”
“Motorists should just stay calm if they are pulled over and follow the officers’ commands. If you stay calm, show your driver’s license, registration, and follow the officers’ requests, this type of situation can be avoided.”
Court documents indicate Brown was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Duane L. Quinn on the following charges:
– Aggravated Assault, Felony 1 (2 counts)
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2
– Resist Arrest/Other Law Enforce, Misdemeanor 2
– Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Int Poss Controlled Substance By Person Not Registered, Misdemeanor
– Use/Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor (2 counts)
He was placed in the Clarion County Jail and was later released after posting $50,000 .00 monetary bail.
A preliminary hearing is set for April 7.
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