Feb 14, 2007 By Josh Krysak 2 min read

State police have filed charges against a Fairbank man accused of threatening an 11-year-old Uniontown boy with a knife at a pharmacy in South Union Township earlier this month. Joseph Burton, 59, was charged with making terroristic threats and harassment after he allegedly approached the boy, began to talk to him about his haircut and then pulled out a 3-inch pocketknife and held it to his face, state police said.

According to a criminal complaint filed by trooper Stefani Plume, Burton approached the boy while his mother was at the checkout counter at the K-Mart Pharmacy on Matthew Drive at 11:45 a.m. Feb. 2.

The names of the family involved in the incident are being withheld because the alleged victim is a minor.

Plume said the boy told police that Burton talked to him about his hair and then pulled out a small knife and held it to the boy’s neck and head.

The boy said he was afraid to say anything to Burton because of the knife, so he just stood there until his mother turned around and saw what was happening, Plume said.

Plume said the boy’s sister also recounted the incident, noting that “she (the sister) couldn’t believe he held it up to her brother’s face but was too scared to say anything because she did not know the man and she didn’t want her brother to get hurt.”

After the boy’s mother realized her son was in danger, Plume said she grabbed both of her children and ran to the customer service desk, where security was called.

Police said Burton admitted to talking to the boy about basketball and his haircut and also told police he did have the pocketknife in his hand at the time, but denied threatening the child.

Fayette County court records indicate Burton has an extensive record of criminal activity, with charges filed against him spanning three decades and ranging from driving while under the influence alcohol last year to theft in 1978.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. March 21 before Magisterial District Judge Joseph M. George Jr.