Former Avella man accused of assaulting sheriff’s deputy
A former Avella man already awaiting trial on charges he burglarized an Amwell Township home last month after leading police from Allegheny County on a chase is now facing more charges after he allegedly assaulted a Washington County sheriff’s deputy.
Ed David Fowler, 26, whose last known local address was on County Line Road, was charged Monday by the sheriff’s office with aggravated assault, simple assault, escape, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct after he allegedly sprayed Deputy Chad Beattie in the face with an aerosol disinfectant in a room at Washington Hospital Sept. 25.
Beattie was guarding Fowler at the hospital when the prisoner asked to use the restroom. Fowler was getting out of his bed when he grabbed the can and sprayed Beattie, causing his eyes to burn and vision to become blurry, the sheriff’s department said. Fowler reportedly ran out of the room and was chased by Beattie. The two men got into a scuffle as Beattie took Fowler back into custody. The deputy had to use his Taser twice to subdue Fowler.
Beattie suffered a broken right hand in the scuffle.
Washington police also charged Fowler Monday with theft and receiving stolen property for allegedly stealing an Apple iPad and other items from 1142 Maple Terrace and selling them at a Washington pawn shop.
He will be arraigned on the new charges before District Judge Robert Redlinger.
On Tuesday, Fowler waived a hearing before District Judge Ethan Ward on charges of burglary, theft and criminal trespass stemming from the Sept. 23 Amwell burglary. The following day before District Judge Mark Wilson, he waived a hearing on charges of robbery, terroristic threats, reckless endangerment and simple assault filed by Monongahela police. He is accused of robbing the 7-Eleven convenience store at 468 Main St. in New Eagle on Sept. 19.
Charges filed against Fowler by Clairton police include receiving stolen property, flight to avoid apprehension, assault of a police officer and reckless endangerment.
Fowler remains in Washington County Jail on $375,000 bond.