Shooting attempt suspect released
MASONTOWN – A 19-year-old McClellandtown man is free on bond after he allegedly attempted to shoot a man in Masontown Sunday. Joshua Ray Holt of 69 Long St. was charged before Magisterial District Judge Jesse Cramer Thursday night with criminal attempt homicide, two counts of attempted robbery, three counts of aggravated assault, two counts of recklessly endangering another person, simple assault and criminal mischief.
Cramer set bond for Holt at $25,000 straight cash, which he posted Friday, according to Magisterial District Judge Randy Abraham.
Holt was charged last year before Magisterial District Judge Randy Abraham with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and propulsion of missiles into occupied vehicles after he threw a rock into a car driven by a Jefferson woman in German Township.
He was placed in the Fayette County Prison on $100,000 bond then, which he also posted, police said. He recently pleaded guilty to those charges in Fayette County Court and is scheduled to be sentenced May 24, court records indicate.
According to Masontown police Chief Richard Barron, the latest round of charges against Holt stem from an incident Sunday evening on Back Lane.
Barron said Holt attempted to rob Harold Pulley, 62, and Michael Pulley, 60, both of Masontown. Barron said the men told Holt they didn’t have money, adding they wanted to avoid a confrontation.
Holt allegedly picked up a rock and struck the Pulleys’ vehicle several times as the men tried to flee the scene, Barron said. The men then pulled out of a parking area and drove past where Holt was standing near a white sport utility vehicle, police said.
Michael Pulley exited the car in an attempt to take down Holt’s license plate number, Barron said. When he did, Holt allegedly fired three rounds from a handgun at him, Barron said.
Holt then approached Harold Pulley as he tried to exit the car and struck him in the face with the handgun, knocking him down. Holt then fled the scene while firing three more rounds at the car, several of which struck the Pulley’s vehicle, Barron said.
After investigating the scene and talking to witnesses, police were able to obtain a warrant for Holt’s arrest, Barron said.
State police trooper Matthew Alekson found Holt at a gas station outside Uniontown Thursday evening and took him into custody without incident, Barron said.
“Trooper Alekson did us a great service and made a heads-up arrest,” Barron said.
Last October, Anita L. Workman and Nicholas Celli, both of Greensboro, were injured after they were struck with the rock thrown by Holt, police said. Workman suffered major head injuries and was flown by medical helicopter to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va. Celli also sustained a moderate head injury in the attack, police said.
State police trooper John S. Krause said the incident occurred when Marcie Rapchak, accompanied by Workman and Celli, stopped at a gas station on Route 21. Krause said Holt approached Rapchak’s vehicle and a dispute ensued.
Krause said Rapchak then fled the gas station, heading west on Route 21 but was pursued by Holt, operating a white Jeep Grand Cherokee. Holt eventually overtook Rapchak’s vehicle and then would not allow her to pass, Krause said. Rapchak then turned off Route 21 onto a side road in an attempt to lose Holt. Rapchak later got back on Route 21 headed westbound, police said.
According to Krause, Rapchak noticed Holt’s vehicle parked on the side of the road before the Masontown Bridge and Holt standing outside the vehicle holding a large rock above his head. As Rapchak passed, he hurled the stone at the vehicle, Krause said.
The rock crashed through the windshield of the car, striking both Workman and Celli in the head, Krause said.