Nemacolin man arrested after he allegedly attempted to cut another man with a knife
CARMICHAELS – A 36-year-old Nemacolin man was arrested Friday morning by Cumberland Township police after he allegedly fought with a man in a wheelchair and attempted to cut the man’s throat with a knife.
Shaun Paul Harden, 36, of 39 Wood St. had the knife at the man’s throat, police said, but was stopped from cutting him by two women who intervened in the fight.
Harden was arraigned before District Judge Lee Watson on charges of aggravated assault, terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct and harassment.
He was jailed on $15,000 bond and faces a preliminary hearing March 23.
Police were called to 38 Wood St. at 10:20 a.m. to a report that a man had cut a woman with a knife. Harden, who remained on scene, was arrested without incident, police said.
James Ruffner told the arresting officer, Lt. John H. Beckus, he was arguing with Harden about a scratch in a van owned by his daughter, Patricia Ruffner.
The two began to fight. Ruffner told police Harden threw him from his wheelchair and threatened to kill him. At one point, Harden allegedly pulled out a knife and attempted to cut his throat.
Patricia Ruffner said Harden had the knife at her father’s throat, when she and Mary Ruffner intervened, attempting to break up the fight. Mary Ruffner, also James Ruffner’s daughter, suffered a minor cut to her hand, police said.
Harden later told police he and James Ruffner argued and James Ruffner threatened to shoot him. He said Ruffner fell attempting to attack him and though he had tried to cut Ruffner in the throat he did not want to kill him.