Charleroi man accused of assaulting police officer
CHARLEROI – A Charleroi man is in custody on charges he kicked a Charleroi Regional police officer and attempted to spit blood on another during a domestic incident at his home early Friday.
District Judge Robert Redlinger sent the suspect in the case, James Crusan, 43, to Washington County jail on $25,000 bond after he was treated for injuries he suffered in a fall near his home while he attempted to run from officers, court records show.
Police said officers found Crusan outside of his residence at 907 Fourth St., appearing to be drunk and screaming about 1:20 a.m.
Crusan attempted to run from police after he was handcuffed, but he only made it a short distance before he fell to the ground, police said in charging documents. He then refused to walk and had to be carried by police 20 feet to the cruiser.
He allegedly kicked officer David Kimbell in the face while being placed in a police cruiser and spit blood in the direction of officer Neil Rands.
He is also accused of threatening to kill the officers and attempting to kick out the rear window of the cruiser, police noted in the affidavit.
Crusan was jailed after being treated for his injuries at Mon Valley Hospital.
He is charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, public drunkenness, attempted institutional vandalism, making terroristic threats and escape.