Constables post busy day serving warrants

Pennsylvania constables were busy serving scores of warrants Friday in Fayette County.
“We worked about a 12-hour shift and served 43 warrants – very productive,” said Constable Mark Pasquale. “Many people were surprised to see us especially after 5 p.m. when business hours end.”
Among the warrants served included Misty Dawn Danko, who is charged with being an accomplice to a robbery and kidnapping in January was arrested Friday morning.
Danko, initially charged in February, waived the charges in March after agreeing to cooperate with prosecutors. When she failed to do so, charges were refiled on Oct. 16.
Pasquale said constables had been searching for Danko for several months. He said Constable Robert Smith had information about where she was staying in Hopwood. Pasquale said Danko was hiding in a closet when Smith, himself and Constable Phillip Michael served the warrant.
Danko faces 38 charges, including terroristic threats, unlawful restraint and aggravated assault stemming from an incident on Jan. 14. Danko reportedly told police that she was held against her will and coerced into a robbery with Keith Arnold Johnson, 23, of Brownsville, Bernard Lewis Richardson III, 28, of Uniontown and Broderick Dewayne Harris, 28, of Uniontown.
Police alleged the group assaulted Ronald Packroni, his brother, Jonathan Packroni, Jonathan Byers and a small child.
Danko, 34, was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Michael M. Metros and is now in prison in lieu of $200,000 bond.
Pasquale said other constables involved in Friday’s warrant sweep across the county were Robert Geary and Kim Renze.
When serving warrants after magistrate court closes, Pasquale said, the defendants have the opportunity to pay it in full, post the collateral amount or be incarcerated for up to 48 hours until they are seen before the magistrate — a big incentive for some folks.
Though 43 warrants served seems like a large number, constables have served more than 80 warrants in a past sweep, Pasquale said.
“I think warrant sweeps definitely help clear up the court docket to eliminate the back log,” he said.