Uniontown man charged for assaulting two police officers
A Uniontown man is facing three counts of aggravated assault after he assaulted two Uniontown police officers conducting an investigation at a bar in Uniontown early Saturday.
Uniontown police Detective Donald M. Gmitter said in addition to the three counts of aggravated assault, Dana P. Curry, 33, of 109 Jefferson St. was charged before Magisterial District Judge Dwight K. Shaner with three counts of simple assault, resisting arrest, obstructing the administration of law, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.
Gmitter said the charges were filed against Curry after he interfered with Uniontown police officers Jonathan Grabiak and Frederick Kampert while they were assisting state parole in an investigation at J & B’s Bar on Searight Avenue around 1:45 a.m.
While Grabiak was attempting to speak with another man inside the bar regarding parole’s investigation, Curry continuously shouted at Grabiak, telling him in expletive-laced shouts to mind his own business and stop harassing black people.
Because of Curry’s outbursts, a crowd began to gather and forced the officers to continue speaking with the man outside, Gmitter said.
Gmitter said that as Grabiak was exiting the bar, Curry continued to taunt him, and when Grabiak told Curry if he yelled at him one more time he would be arrested for disorderly conduct, Curry obliged.
When Grabiak attempted to take Curry into custody, he immediately became combative and during the course of his arrest, he pushed and kicked Grabiak multiple times, Gmitter said.
While Grabiak and Kampert attempted to place Curry into their police car, Curry kicked the door of the car, causing it to strike Grabiak in the chest and then later kicked Grabiak in the chest again while officers continued to struggle with him.
Gmitter said Curry also kicked out the rear window of the patrol car.
At the Uniontown Police Department, Gmitter said Curry’s antics continued as he fought with police continuously and kicked Kampert several times.
Gmitter said Curry was so combative that officers were unable to fingerprint and process him at the Fayette County Booking Center and will have to do so at a later date.
Curry was initially placed in Fayette County Prison on $25,000 straight cash bond following his arraignment, but he has since posted bond.
A preliminary hearing for Curry will be held at a later date before Magisterial District Judge Michael M. Metros.