Police arrest two in connection with assault on woman
State police arrested two men Tuesday, one for allegedly assaulting a Burgettstown woman the previous day and the other for reportedly denying he knew the alleged suspect who was actually hiding in a spare bedroom in his home.
Zachary James Mingo, 29, of 809 N. Main St., Washington, is charged with strangulation, simple assault and harassment. Jeffrey Zorn Jeffers, 65, of 676 Buena Vista St., Canton Township, is charged with hindering apprehension.
State police were initially called just after 8 a.m. Tuesday to Jeffers’ home for a report of an altercation that had taken place the previous day and that the woman was being held against her will by her boyfriend, later identified as Mingo.
When police arrived at the home on Buena Vista, Jeffers reportedly told the trooper several times he did not know Mingo or the woman. Mingo and the woman were found hiding behind a locked door in a spare bedroom.
The woman reportedly told police she and Mingo got into an argument on the back porch of Jeffers’ home about 7 p.m. Monday. The argument continued inside the house, where Mingo allegedly punched her in the eye.
Mingo then reportedly punched her again, this time in the back of the head, before putting his hands around her neck and squeezing it. He also reportedly threw her to the floor. She went to Washington Hospital that night, telling hospital staff she had been beat up by four women.
Both men were arraigned before District Judge David Mark. Mingo was placed in Washington County jail on $100,000 bond. Jeffers is in jail on $50,000 bond. Both are scheduled for a July 26 preliminary hearing before Mark.