Officer injured in store incident
A Uniontown police officer suffered injuries early Tuesday when the man he was trying to take into custody punched him in the face at a business on Connellsville Street. Uniontown police said Terry Walker, 39, of Uniontown was charged before Senior Magisterial District Judge Michael Rubish with aggravated assault, simple assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct after he allegedly assaulted Sgt. Fred Balsley at the Sunoco A-Plus convenience store at 2:20 a.m.
According to Officer Michael C. Garrow Sr., the incident began when police were called to the store for a report of a woman screaming at a worker at the store and throwing things at her.
Garrow said when police arrived they found Walker and his wife, Terri Walker-Belt, also of Uniontown, in the parking lot of the store.
At that point, Balsley stayed outside with the couple while Officer Jennifer Field entered the store to speak with employee Mia Grady of Uniontown, Garrow said.
While Balsley was interviewing the couple, Terry Walker went back in the store and allegedly told Grady, “We don’t need this. We don’t need this,” Garrow said.
Field then ordered Terry Walker from the store but he refused to leave and started to argue with Field and told her that she would not be arresting anyone, Garrow said.
Balsley then entered the store and ordered Terry Walker to step away from Field but instead he moved “nose to nose” with Balsley and shouted, “No pig is arresting me. Get off me. Get out of my face. You’re not arresting anybody,” Garrow said.
Garrow said Balsley then told Terry Walker he was under arrest and attempted to handcuff him. Terry Walker raised his fist at Balsley and the officer shot him with a Taser gun.
However, Garrow said Terry Walker was able to pull the Taser probes from his stomach area and started to run from the store.
Balsley gave chase and when he got close to Terry Walker near the entrance to the store, the suspect allegedly turned and punched Balsley in the face, Garrow said.
Field then fired her Taser and struck Terry Walker while he was exiting the door of the store.
He was subsequently taken into custody.
Balsley was taken to Uniontown Hospital for treatment of a cut on his chin and other injuries to his face.
Terry Walker was placed in the Fayette County Prison on $10,000 straight cash bond.
A preliminary hearing will be held at a later date in Uniontown.
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