Hearing in assault of troopers continued
A preliminary hearing was continued Thursday for a Uniontown man accused of assaulting two state police troopers during an incident in Republic in December. Police said Duron Clayton Ford, 24, was charged before Magisterial District Judge Ronald Haggerty with two counts each of aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment and single counts of resisting arrest, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct for the alleged assault on troopers in what police described as a “violent struggle.”
A preliminary hearing on the charges will be rescheduled before Magisterial District Judge Michael Defino.
According to police, the incident began when two troopers from the Belle Vernon station approached Ford shortly before 6 p.m. Dec. 19 while he was standing near a vehicle occupied by three people.
Police said they only approached Ford after he acted suspicious as police patrolled the area.
Trooper Joseph Christy said the troopers started to “pat down” Ford, who immediately started fighting.
Christy said the troopers, who have not been identified, then used pepper spray in an attempt to subdue Ford, to no avail.
The struggle continued until Ford eventually was able to escape police.