Trooper breaks leg during casino arrest
A state trooper was treated for a broken leg he sustained while trying to take a McDonald man into custody early Sunday morning at The Meadows Casino in North Strabane Township.
Shawn C. Lamonde, 39, of McDonald, South Fayette Township, is charged with one count each of aggravated assault on a police officer and simple assault and two counts each of resisting arrest and harassment in connection with the scuffle.
Trooper James Amitrone, a 21-year veteran, was treated at Canonsburg Hospital and released, Trooper Douglas Rush said.
Rush said troopers were dispatched about 12:30 a.m. Sunday for a disturbance at one of the bars inside the casino. Trooper Jeff Trypus was on the gaming floor near the roulette tables when he came into contact with one of the men believed to be involved in the disturbance. Amitrone continued to the bar.
Lamonde reportedly confronted Trypus, asking who he was and getting in the trooper’s face, Rush said. The other man, who was apparently with Lamonde, appears in surveillance video to be telling his friend to back off.
Amitrone and Trypus tried to take Lamonde into custody. The three scuffled and fell to the ground. Amitrone broke his leg during the scuffle, Rush said, adding that Lamonde did not kick the trooper during the incident.
Lamonde was arraigned before District Judge Mark Wilson and released from Washington County jail Sunday morning after posting $25,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for March 11 before District Judge Jay Weller.