Erie man arrested on warrant in Kane
An Erie man who was wanted on a warrant is accused of resisting arrest in Kane on Friday.
Justin A. Simmer, 40, of 4774 Elsie St., Erie, was arraigned Saturday before District Judge William Todd on charges of resisting arrest and flight to avoid apprehension, second-degree misdemeanors; false identification to law enforcement, a third-degree misdemeanor; and possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor.
According to the criminal complaint, Lewis Run-based state police received a tip that Simmer was living at 117 ½ Greeves St., Apt. A., in Kane. Police determined that Simmer had an active warrant out of Erie.
At 8:04 p.m. Friday, a trooper saw a male and female in front of 117 ½ Greeves St., and he approached the pair in his patrol vehicle, the complaint stated. Kane Borough police were also on scene.
The trooper asked the male if he was Simmer, and the male said he was not. The male produced a Pennsylvania driver’s license for Douglas Eugene Wallech III; however, when the trooper noted that the male did not look like Wallech’s photo, the male turned and ran, according to court records.
The trooper followed the male — who was Simmer — on foot and commanded him to stop or be Tased; Simmer continued running, according to the complaint. The trooper deployed his Taser, missing Simmer, then striking Simmer in the back when he deployed it a second time.
Simmer got up and continued running, the trooper used force to place Simmer on his stomach; Simmer got up again, and again the officer used force to place him on his stomach and arrest him, according to court records.
During the arrest, Simmer was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, the complaint stated.
Court records indicate that Simmer is on supervision in Erie County after pleading guilty to a felony charge of theft by unlawful taking in one case and misdemeanor charges of possession of a controlled substance and disorderly conduct in a second case.
He is in McKean County Jail in lieu of $15,000 bail, and a preliminary hearing is set for July 13.
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Smethport man jailed on assault allegations
A Smethport man is in McKean County Jail after an alleged assault in the early morning hours Sunday at Majestic Trails Campground in Otto Township.
Christopher M. Thompson, 34, of 137 Fitch Hill Road, Smethport, was arraigned Sunday before District Judge William Todd on two counts each of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, second-degree misdemeanors; and summary harassment.
The criminal complaint states that around 1 a.m. Sunday, Thompson threw a beer can through an open window into a truck, striking a female and injuring her nose and face.
Then, an alleged physical altercation took place between Thompson and a different female. Another male intervened, and Thompson struck the male on the right side of his head, injuring him, according to court records.
Thompson was jailed in lieu of $10,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 13.
