Dec 1, 2014 2 min read

A Belle Vernon man is in Washington County jail after he was arrested early Sunday following a reported scuffle with two state troopers who were trying to remove him from his vehicle in Canton Township.

William Kolby Beam, 22, of 4 Wellington Drive, faces charges of aggravated assault, driving under the influence of alcohol, simple assault, reckless driving, harassment, public drunkenness, failure to stay in the right lane, careless driving and trespass by motor vehicle.

Troopers were called about 5:15 a.m. to 945 W. Wylie Ave. for a report of a vehicle parked in the homeowner’s yard. The resident told police it was not his or a family member’s vehicle, nor did he believe it was owned by a neighbor.

Troopers Kevin DeJulius and Christina Marth looked inside the sport utility vehicle and spotted Beam lying between the front and back seats. He appeared to be unconscious. Troopers said they also spotted an empty vodka bottle on the driver’s seat.

DeJulius and Marth tried to wake Beam, identifying themselves as police officers. The two troopers then started knocking on the doors and windows. Beam did not respond at first.

When he woke up, the two troopers told him to open the door and step out.

Police said Beam did not comply with commands and appeared to become agitated and irate.

When DeJulius told Beam he was going to break a window unless the 22-year-old got out of the vehicle, police said Beam unlocked the doors and tried to flee out the rear passenger door. DeJulius met him and tried to stop him, and Beam allegedly tried to punch the trooper.

DeJulius and Marth grabbed Beam and pulled him out of the vehicle as he allegedly fought with both troopers, striking both of them and pulling Marth’s hair. The troopers eventually were able to take Beam into custody after employing a Taser.

Beam was arraigned before District Judge Ethan Ward and jailed on $100,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for Dec. 11 before District Judge David Mark.