Aug 22, 2006 By The 2 min read

A Uniontown woman has filed suit in federal court against three Uniontown police officers, accusing them of violating her constitutional rights and arresting her without probable cause. Elsie Cornish of 60 Cleveland Ave. named Lt. Michael Metros, Sgt. Jonathan Grabiak and Patrolman Eric Hanula in the 11-page suit that alleges police forcibly entered her home without her permission and arrested Cornish and her two teenage sons without cause on Jan. 26.

Cornish was charged with disorderly conduct, endangering the welfare of a child and criminal conspiracy following the incident, according to the suit. The charges were later dismissed during a preliminary hearing.

According to the suit filed by attorney Herbert A. Terrell, police were summoned to Cleveland Avenue after several residents complained that juveniles with a BB gun had shot them. Police questioned several neighbors and then entered Cornish’s home forcibly and demanded that she turn over the gun that was allegedly used to shoot the neighbors, the suit states. After Cornish denied knowing of the shootings, police took Cornish and her sons into custody.

The suit claims that police caused Cornish injury to her reputation and character by arresting her and took her into custody without probable cause.

Police Chief Kyle W. Sneddon declined comment on the suit.