Most charges dropped against Crucible bartender who pulled gun during dispute
CRUCIBLE – The most serious charges have been dropped against the bartender who reportedly pulled out a handgun to quell an argument earlier this month at the Crucible Citizens Club in Cumberland Township.
The attorney for Crystal D. Andrenok said the Greene County district attorney’s office agreed to withdraw three counts each of aggravated assault and reckless endangerment and two counts of terroristic threats during her Jan. 22 preliminary hearing before District Judge Glenn Bates. Defense attorney Adam Belletti said he and Andrenok agreed to waive one charge of terroristic threats and a summary citation of harassment to court.
“I think once the district attorney’s office had a chance to review (the case), they came back with a more reasonable view of the situation,” Belletti said.
Cumberland police accused Andrenok of pointing a handgun at three men during a dispute Jan. 11 inside the club at 116 E. First Ave, Crucible. Andrenok reportedly told investigators that she told the non-members of the club to leave, but they refused, prompting her to get a handgun behind the bar and order them out.
Cumberland police Chief Bryan Smith previously said that was an “over-the-top reaction” to the situation. But Belletti disagreed, saying that Andrenok and others in the bar feared for their safety.
He said four non-members knocked on the club door and a member let them in. Three of the men then confronted a member over money apparently owed to them when the dispute escalated. Belletti said Andrenok asked the men to leave and said she was going to call police, but they “got in her face” and threatened her and other members.
“They levied threats against my client and others who came in to try to break up the situation,” Belletti said. “Their lives were in danger.”
Neither Smith nor District Attorney Marjorie Fox could be reached for comment Tuesday. No one else has been charged in the case.
“My client looks forward to vindicating herself in court,” Belletti said.
Andrenok is free on $15,000 unsecured bond while awaiting her Feb. 11 formal arraignment on the terroristic threats charge.