Oct 7, 2006 By Josh Krysak 3 min read

A police dog was used to subdue a Uniontown man after he allegedly assaulted two women leaving a Uniontown supermarket Thursday afternoon. A warrant for the arrest of Stephen Keith, 31, of Apartment 5, 25 Morgantown St., was issued Friday by Magisterial District Judge Mark Blair.

Keith is charged with two counts each of simple assault, terroristic threats, disorderly conduct and harassment, as well as single counts of unlawful restraint, assault of a police dog and assault of a police officer, according to police.

The charges resulted after Keith allegedly assaulted two women, resisted arrest and then advanced on Patrolman Michael C. Garrow Sr.

Police said the department’s K-9, Sheiko, was used to subdue Keith.

Police said the incident began when Candice Zooner, 18, and Ashley Fazenbaker, 21, both of Uniontown, were in the checkout line at Midtown Foodland on West Fayette Street at 1:53 p.m. Thursday.

Garrow said Keith allegedly approached them as they were preparing to leave the store.

Garrow said Fazenbaker told investigators Keith allegedly said, “You look sad. I can change your life” as the women were leaving the store.

The women told Garrow they were frightened by Keith and hurried from the store but were followed to the parking lot, where he grabbed Fazenbaker by the arm and said, “Come to my house. I’m lonely,” police said.

Fazenbaker then pulled away from Keith and ran to her car, where she and Zooner locked themselves inside and attempted to flee the scene, Garrow said.

However, the car would not start, and Keith tried to talk the women into opening the car door, Garrow said.

“I’m not going to rape or hurt you,” he reportedly told the women, Garrow said.

Keith then began to bang on the door and pull at the door handle, Garrow said.

Fazenbaker then exited the car and ran to a pay phone across the street and called 911, police said.

Police said at this point, two unidentified men attempted to stop Keith from pursuing the women and the three began to fight.

Fazenbaker then returned to her car, locked herself in and waited for police, Garrow said.

When officers arrived, the suspect was across the street from the store, bleeding from the head, nose and elbow, Garrow said.

When Patrolman David Rutter attempted to take Keith into custody, police said the man – who is 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs about 290 pounds – resisted and was uncooperative as Uniontown Fireman’s Ambulance personnel attempted to treat his wounds, police said.

Garrow said he then told Keith to calm down, but said that Keith walked away from the paramedics and began to threaten Garrow and Sheiko.

“I’ll kill you and your dog,” he screamed, according to Garrow.

Garrow said Keith continued to advance toward him and Garrow tried to fend him off with his right hand to no avail and was pushed against the wall of a building before he deployed Sheiko to stop the attack.

Garrow said Sheiko hit Keith in the stomach and quickly took him to the ground with the help of Lt. Michael “Mick” Metros.

Garrow said Keith was taken to Uniontown Hospital for treatment and was later transferred to Highlands Hospital in Connellsville.