DUBOIS – A Penfield man is facing charges for allegedly hitting a vehicle with a chain.
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed with District Judge Patrick Ford’s office July 18, Zachary Scott Ruhl, 28, 1 Evergreen Dr., Penfield, is charged by the DuBois-based state police with possessing instruments of crime, criminal mischief and driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked.
According to the affidavit, troopers were called to the Nittany Minit Mart. The troopers met with a witness who said an incident of assault took place in the parking lot. The troopers were able to view security video, which allegedly showed the driver of a red Dodge pick-up truck holding a short silver chain out of the driver’s side window. The truck backed up behind a red Dodge mini-van and the man swung the chain and hit the back of the mini-van, then drove away.
The troopers then spoke to the victim who said she and her boyfriend were at the Minit Mart. The victim said her boyfriend had allegedly sold a guitar to Zach Ruhl a week before Memorial Day for $300, but Ruhl never paid him.
The victim said they have been trying to get Ruhl to pay the money he owes ever since. The victim said Ruhl was in the parking lot and her boyfriend went over and confronted Ruhl about the money, but when her boyfriend saw there were kids in the car, he walked away.
However, the victim said Ruhl’s wife allegedly approached their vehicle and began pushing the victim’s boyfriend with her chest. The victim said her boyfriend got back into the vehicle, but they heard a loud sound. The victim said she got out of the vehicle and saw damage, which was estimated to be between $800 and $1,000. The victim said she believes Ruhl hit their vehicle with a chain he had been holding during the argument.
The troopers interviewed Ruhl, who told them he and his wife had gone to the Minit Mart and the victim’s boyfriend allegedly attempted to punch him through the car window. Ruhl said he got a chain out of the truck because the victim’s boyfriend was being aggressive.
Ruhl allegedly admitted to attempting to hit the victim’s vehicle with the chain, but Ruhl said he was not sure if he had actually made contact or not.
Further investigation showed that Ruhl has seven active warrants for his arrest and Ruhl was taken into custody.