Man faces assault charges
A Bentleyville man was arrested Sunday by Peters Township police on charges including aggravated assault after he allegedly hit another man in the head with a tire iron the previous afternoon.
Gary Lee Fine Jr., 25, of 1309 Main St., also is accused of punching Jordan Ray Chipps in the head during the confrontation on McDowell Lane.
Police were called about 3:40 p.m. for a report of a fight in the parking lot of the Dairy Queen at 102 McDowell. When police arrived, they learned that one person had fled. Chipps was identified as an employee of Dairy Queen. After getting the license plate number of the vehicle that left, police said they were able to determine it was owned by Fine.
Chipps told police he believes Fine was upset because he thought Chipps was dating his former girlfriend. Chipps said he had received messages from Fine indicating that he was going to beat him up.
When Chipps arrived at work, he said Fine pulled into the lot and got out of his vehicle. Police said Fine allegedly confronted Chipps and hit him in the head with the tire iron and his fists until a bystander intervened.
Police interviewed Fine Sunday. He allegedly admitted that he went to the Dairy Queen in order to confront Chipps.
Fine was arraigned before District Judge Jay Weller on charges of aggravated and simple assault and harassment. He was released from Washington County jail after posting $30,000 bond. He is scheduled for an April 11 preliminary hearing before District Judge James Ellis.