Mar 28, 2016 2 min read

A Charleroi man was arrested Friday night by Charleroi Regional police after he allegedly assaulted a 41-year-old paraplegic woman inside her home and then reportedly put his hand over her mouth so she could not call for help.

John Koster Jr., 45, of 1010 Upper Meadow Ave., was arrested on charges of unlawful restraint, simple assault, reckless endangerment, false imprisonment and harassment.

Police were called about 10:35 p.m. to 1010 Upper Meadow for a report of a woman screaming in distress. When police arrived a few minutes later, they knocked on the door several times but did not get a response.

Police then spotted a woman yelling for help inside the house. Officers forced open the front door. Officers then went to the second floor and saw the alleged victim, identified as Molly Sager, on the floor in the front bedroom next to a bed. There also was shattered glass next to her.

Sager told police she and Koster had been drinking earlier that night and got into an argument that escalated into a physical confrontation.

Sager told officers Koster pushed her off the bed and allegedly hit her above the left eye. Sager also told officers she was a paraplegic and unable to get off the floor.

She also told them that when officers knocked on the door of the home, Koster got on top of her and placed his hand over her mouth in an attempt to prevent her from screaming for help.

He was arraigned on the charges before District Judge David Mark and released Saturday afternoon after posting $50,000 bond. Koster is scheduled for an April 7 preliminary hearing before District Judge Larry Hopkins.