CLEARFIELD – A local man is accused of assaulting an officer during a scuffle with police in the Emergency Department at the Clearfield Penn Highlands Hospital.
Ryan S. Albert, 35, of Clearfield is charged by Clearfield Borough police with felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor simple assault and disorderly conduct (two counts) and two summaries.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, at approximately 11:16 p.m. Jan. 2, a patient, Albert, fled the hospital on foot towards Nichols Street.
Officers David Hoover and Ethan Fritz responded to the call and because Albert is known to exhibit aggressive behavior, Hoover requested assistance from Lawrence Township police.
Hoover parked on Williams Road, just off Martin Street, and at 11:29 p.m., he observed a male walking west in the middle of the roadway.
He said the male who was wearing blue hospital scrubs took off his shirt and threw it into a yard. Hoover positively identified the male as Albert and notified township officers.
Once township officers, Zachary Cowan and Ralph Nedza and borough officer, Fritz, arrived on-scene, Hoover apprehended Albert without incident.
Albert was transported back to the hospital and escorted into the Emergency Department. Hoover advised Albert he was still under a valid warrant and he can’t leave the facility.
Hoover said he asked Albert several times to relax and respect the medical staff who were only trying to help him. He said Albert related that he understood and wouldn’t cause anymore issues.
A few minutes later, he said Albert became agitated and stated he didn’t want to be there anymore. Albert reportedly became verbally confrontational and took an aggressive stance toward Cowan.
At the time, Cowan was positioned outside the door next to Hoover. Albert allegedly commented to the officers: “I will [expletive] drop you guys” and then flipped his hospital bed.
Hoover and Cowan proceeded to enter the room, and Albert aggressively wrapped his right arm around Cowan’s head, according to the affidavit.
Hoover grabbed Albert’s left hand and Nedza and Fritz assisted Albert to the floor. Cowan freed himself from Albert’s hold, and as the scuffle ensued, Albert reportedly ignored all commands.
He told the officers several times to “tase me” but was ultimately handcuffed, assisted to his feet and placed back on his bed. Police then handcuffed both of Albert’s wrists to the bed.
Cowan notified officers and a nurse that he may have been scratched or cut by Albert. Upon examination, Hoover observed that Cowan’s right ear was very red and there was blood behind it.
Cowan reportedly sustained several scratches that were bleeding in his neck area, in addition to the laceration behind his ear. He received medical treatment while at the hospital.
Albert is being held in Clearfield County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bail. He’s scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
