Point Marion man to have day in court on alleged biting incident
A Point Marion man facing multiple charges after he allegedly bit a state police trooper during an incident in Springhill Township May 17 will have his day in court. Cpl. Kenneth Butler said Robert Lee VanSickle, 35, of 791 New Geneva Road was charged before Magisterial District Judge Dwight K. Shaner with aggravated assault, simple assault and resisting arrest. During a preliminary hearing in late June before Magisterial District Judge Randy S. Abraham, all charges against VanSickle were held for Fayette County Court.
Butler said the incident occurred when three troopers responded to VanSickle’s home to serve a mental health warrant.
While traveling to the home, Butler said troopers spotted VanSickle walking on Route 166 near the junction with Route 119.
Butler said officers searched VanSickle and several bags he was carrying and then told him that he was being taken to the hospital.
VanSickle then became combative and tried to flee police, Butler said.
A scuffle ensued, and as Trooper Douglas Rush was placing VanSickle in handcuffs, he bit Rush’s right forearm, Butler said.
VanSickle was eventually taken into custody and taken to Highlands Hospital in Connellsville for evaluation, Butler said.
Rush was taken to Uniontown Hospital, where he was treated for a contusion to his right arm from the bite.