PUNXSUTAWNEY BOROUGH, Pa. (EYT) – The details of an incident where a wanted man allegedly kicked through a floor and jumped through a window in a bid to escape police in Punxsutawney have been released.
Court documents indicate the Punxsutawney-based State Police filed criminal charges against 33-year-old Joshua Edward Burnside, of Clearfield.
According to a criminal complaint, around 4:30 p.m. on June 21, Punxsutawney-based State Police were advised that Joshua Edward Burnside, who was known to be wanted on a felony arrest warrant, was seen walking in Punxsutawney Borough. A man matching the description of Burnside was seen walking on Cherry Street, with another man, in the area of a residence where Burnside had been known to stay.
Troopers then went to the residence and knocked at the door. The known woman who answered stated she didn’t know if Burnside was at the residence, but she would check.
After shutting the door to reportedly check for Burnside, at least five minutes had passed, and she had not returned, though noise was heard in the residence.
Upon the Troopers knocking again, the known woman opened the door which is when she was asked for, and granted, permission for the house to be searched. She and a juvenile were then asked to step outside while police looked for Burnside.
The complaint states two known individuals were found in the residence, and one of the individuals related that Burnside had been attempting to hide in the attic but left after being told he couldn’t hide there. The individual said he didn’t know where Burnside went after that.
The troopers continued to search the building and then located a small crawl space behind a dryer. One of the troopers entered the space and observed a possible hiding spot.
According to the complaint, the troopers then heard a loud clattering/smashing sound from the hiding spot, which they later discovered was Burnside kicking the floor, which led to a known individual’s bedroom ceiling. Burnside then fell through the ceiling and landed on the individual, which caused injury to the individual.
Burnside then ran to the living room and attempted to jump out of a closed window. The window shattered as Burnside went through it, and he was then met by other police officers outside the building, the complaint states.
Burnside tried to run from the officers, but he was tasered and was then handcuffed and taken into custody. He was LifeFlighted to UPMC Altoona Hospital for injuries caused by small glass particles in his eyes, according to the complaint.
The following charges were filed against Burnside through Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline J. Mizerock’s office on June 22:
– Burglary – Overnight Accommodations; Person Present, Bodily Injury Crime, Felony 1
– Criminal Trespass-Enter Structure, Felony 3
– Flight To Avoid Apprehension/Trial/Punish, Felony 3
– Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Misdemeanor 2
– Resist Arrest/Other Law Enforcement, Misdemeanor 2
– Criminal Mischief – Damage Property, Misdemeanor 3
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on August 18, with Judge Mizerock presiding.
According to court documents, Burnside is also facing formal arraignment in Clearfield County on July 22 on three separate cases involving retail theft, driving under the influence, and another incident where he allegedly fled police.
Court documents indicate Burnside has an extensive criminal history in Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, and Clarion Counties, dating back to 2007 and ranging from theft and criminal trespass to drug charges and corruption of minors.
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