Local man charged with assault and fleeing from police
A Washington man faces charges of aggravated assault and fleeing from police after he allegedly knocked over a Washington police officer as he sped off in his van while trying to get away from a South Strabane Township police officer.
Clifford L. Huseman, 53, of 455 Shirls Ave., also was charged last week by township police with driving under the influence of alcohol, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and traffic violations stemming from the Aug. 4 incident.
Township police were called about 7 p.m. for a reported fight at the Pancake Inn, 1727 E. Maiden St. When police arrived, the bartender told police two men involved in the fight, later identified as Huseman and his 22-year-old son, Dylan Huseman, had left in a gold GMC work van.
The elder Huseman reportedly was driving the van, which was spotted a short time later traveling near East Maiden and South Wade Avenue.
South Strabane Officer Carmine Molinaro activated his emergency lights and siren.
The van was stopped in traffic, so Molinaro got out of his cruiser and approached it, but Clifford Huseman allegedly drove off the road, through a parking lot and fled.
Police said Huseman went north on South Lincoln Avenue but appeared to stop near East Beau Street. When city police Officer Willis McConnell tried to take Clifford Huseman into custody, he allegedly sped off, knocking McConnell to the ground.
Police said Clifford Huseman continued on, going through stop signs and red lights as he drove toward his neighborhood. When the pursuit reached the 400 block of Shirls, police said Huseman’s vehicle hit McConnell’s cruiser before coming to a stop in front of his home. Police tried to remove Clifford Huseman from the van, but he allegedly refused to unlock the door and had to be pulled through an open window.
Dylan Huseman was taken into custody for allegedly kicking and punching a city police officer. He was placed in Washington County jail on a probation detainer and later was arraigned before District Judge Jay Weller on charges of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness. Weller set bond on those charges at $5,000.
The charges against Clifford Huseman were sent by summons from Weller’s office. A preliminary hearing before Weller is set for Nov. 4.