Suspect charged with assaulting officer to stand trial
WAYNESBURG — A Waynesburg man charged earlier this month with disarming an officer of his Taser and running from police was order to stand trial during his recent preliminary hearing.
Matthew Gabriel Barth, 35, was charged with multiple counts, including one felony count each of criminal attempt to commit aggravated assault and disarming a law enforcement officer, two felony counts of criminal attempt to escape, two misdemeanor counts each of resisting arrest and flight to avoid apprehension and one misdemeanor count of providing false identification to a law enforcement officer.
According to the criminal complaint filed in the courtroom of Magisterial District Judge D. Glenn Bates, Barth was a passenger in a vehicle which was stopped by Waynesburg Borough Police officer Adam Fichter om West High Street in Waynesburg at about 4:15 p.m. March 10.
During the stop, Barth allegedly told police his name was Joshua Barth — his brother’s name — and then gave Fichter an inaccurate date of birth and Social Security number; after Fichter told Barth he knew his name was not Joshua, Barth allegedly fled on foot while making movements toward his waistband and pockets, the complaint states.
Fichter then attempted to use a Taser on Barth, but was unsuccessful; he caught Barth and they both fell on the ground, at which point Barth allegedly grabbed Fichter’s Taser and holster before Fichter knocked it out of his hands, the complaint states.
Greene County Regional Police officer William DeForte was called to assist as Barth continued to fight Fichter; after Barth was handcuffed, he allegedly fled again but was taken back into custody when he fell, according to court documents.
An ambulance was called for Barth, who reported rib and hip injuries.
After placing Barth in custody, Fichter was informed by Greene County 911 that Barth was wanted by state parole for absconding, the complaint states.
DeForte and Fichter were treated at the Washington Health System Greene hospital for injuries and released; DeForte suffered a broken pinky finger and Fichter suffered a sprained finger, according to paperwork filed in the case.
Following his arrest, Barth was arraigned before Bates and was subsequently placed in Greene County Prison; during his preliminary hearing before Bates on March 22, all of the charges were held for court. He remains in jail in lieu of $25,000 straight bail.