A Ridgway man is in Elk County Jail after he allegedly tried to escape from police custody after he was accused of stealing from Sheetz.
Joshua M. Hanes, 31, of 101 N. Mill Ave., Ridgway, Elk County, was arraigned before District Judge Barry Brown on charges of escape and retail theft, third-degree felonies; terroristic threats, a first-degree misdemeanor; resisting arrest, a second-degree misdemeanor; and disorderly conduct and harassment, summaries.
According to Ridgway Borough Police, at 8:10 p.m. April 17, a Sheetz supervisor reported a retail theft from the store, which is located on North Broad Street. Prior to locating Hanes for the theft, police received another report alleging that he made physical threats toward another tenant in his apartment building.
Police found the suspect at his residence, but a “lengthy struggle” ensued before officers were finally able to apprehend Hanes, police stated. He allegedly tried to escape police custody at one point but was quickly apprehended.
He is in jail in lieu of $20,000 bail.
Hanes is also facing an active case in McKean County in which he is accused of resisting arrest.
Court records state that the McKean County charges stem from an alleged incident on Feb. 25 in Smethport Borough. He is charged with resisting arrest, a second-degree misdemeanor; four counts of DUI-controlled substance, misdemeanors; and three summary charges.
Hanes was initially jailed on the McKean County charges, but was released March 8 on $2,500 unsecured bail. Court records indicate that he failed to show up for his preliminary hearing March 22 and that a request for a bench warrant was filed. It is unclear if the bench warrant was active at the time of his arrest in Ridgway.
A preliminary hearing on the Elk County charges is set for Wednesday. In McKean County, a formal arraignment is set for May 20 and a last-day-to-plea conference is set for June 3.
