Nov 3, 2017 2 min read

A Carmichaels man has been charged with felony assault after allegedly throwing his grandfather into a closet Thursday.

Benjamin Joseph Howard, 28, was being held in Greene County jail on $15,000 bond on charges of aggravated assault, attempted simple assault, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and harassment.

Cumberland Township police said officers were dispatched to 200 Kurans Road just before 3 p.m. Thursday. They said the alleged victim, Benjamin F. Howard, was found outside sitting in his vehicle with another person.

The elder Howard had a large laceration on his upper right arm.

He told police his grandson was sleeping and he was afraid he had overdosed. He said he tried to wake his grandson and eventually threw water on him.

Police said Benjamin Joseph Howard picked up and threw his grandfather, then pushed him into a closet.

The alleged victim, according to the criminal complaint, is elderly “with medical conditions and is taking blood thinners which causes easy bruising and possibly excessive bleeding.”

Police arrested Benjamin Joseph Howard and said they found a glass smoking pipe in his front right pocket and a small bag of marijuana in his wallet.

His preliminary hearing before District Judge Jesse Cramer has been set for 1:35 p.m. Thursday.