Business owner attacked
King
A local businessman was attacked outside of Rich’s Trading Post in Carmichaels Wednesday.
CARMICHAELS – A preliminary arraignment was held Wednesday evening before Greene County Magisterial District Judge Glenn Bates for Matthew R. King, 35, formerly of 200B E. Main St., Uniontown, and Ford City, for the alleged robbery and assault of a Carmichaels business man. King told Bates he is homeless and a heroin addict.
Cumberland Township Police Chief Craig Miller credited a pair of good Samaritans for alerting police of an attack Wednesday afternoon of Rich Rosendale, 68, owner of Rich’s Trading Post, 2117 E. Roy Furman Highway, Carmichaels.
The witnesses who were working in the office of Route 21 Mobile Home Sales, located across the street, called police and went to Rosendale’s aid.
Miller said what they did was heroic. “This was very brazen, to commit an attack like this in broad daylight, and they came over to help not knowing what they might be getting into,” he said.
Rosendale, who served as Greene County prothonotary from 1987 to 1999, was taken by ambulance to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va. According to a criminal complaint, Rosendale suffered severe injuries to his face, including swelling and multiple possible broken bones as advised by ambulance personnel. He was found in the bathroom area of the business bound with electrical tape, which was also across his eyes and face. Rosendale told police King took his wallet and checkbook from him.
Miller said he received the call about the attack on Rosendale shortly after 1 p.m.
Cumberland Township Detective Tony Gismondi was the first to respond to Rich’s Trading Post.
According to a criminal complaint, Gismondi and the two Samaritans struggled with King outside the store. Gismondi used both pepper spray and a Taser in an attempt to subdue King, who removed the taser probes from his body and ran uphill and into a field by Route 21 Mobile Home Park.
King was apprehended with help from Miller, Cumberland Township K-9 officer Artis and Greene County sheriff’s deputies.
State police troopers also assisted at the scene and conducted the forensic investigation.
Rich’s Trading Post has been in business for 10 years selling used appliances, furniture and other household items.
King is charged with robbery, aggravated assault, flight to avoid apprehension, disarming law enforcement, theft by unlawful taking, unlawful restraint, simple assault, resisting arrest and multiple summary offenses.
King’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. June 30. Bates set his bail at $100,000 straight cash.