PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (EYT) –A Punxsutawney man is behind bars after allegedly charging at an officer with a sword during a domestic dispute in Punxsutawney earlier this month.
According to court documents, Punxsutawney Borough Police filed criminal charges against 25-year-old Raymond D. Phillips, of Brookville, in Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline J. Mizerock’s office on Monday, April 4.
A recently released criminal complaint indicates police were dispatched to a Punxsutawney residence for a report of a domestic dispute between a male – Raymond Phillips – and his father.
Upon arrival, police spoke with Phillips’ father, who stated that his son hit him in the arm with a Kendo Shinai, a Japanese sword made of bamboo and used in martial arts, because he would not let him have the car keys. The officer went to the rear door of the driveway and asked Phillips to come outside before calling dispatch to request backup, the complaint states.
Phillips allegedly started to yell, opened the door, and charged at the officer with the sword in his hand. As he approached the officer, he was waiving the sword and yelling that he was “going to (expletive) kill” the officer. The officer stepped back, drew his taser, held it to his side and did not point it at Phillips. The officer did this in an attempt to calm Phillips down, as he was agitated because of the taser, the complaint indicates.
The officer told Phillips if he got any closer with the sword, he would be tased. At that time, Phillips allegedly said he was “just going to (expletive) kill” the officer before taking a sudden step in the officer’s direction. At this time, the officer raised his taser, and Phillips dropped the sword and then went over to a car parked in the driveway. Phillips tried to remove a cover that was on the car, but failed in his attempt. A witness picked up the sword and put it in her car to get it out of Phillips’ sight, the complaint notes.
The officer then put his taser in his holster and attempted to get Phillips to talk. At this time, Phillips told the officer to leave him alone as he ran into the house and locked the door. About 1-2 minutes later, a second officer arrived on scene. Once the officer pulled into the driveway, Phillips ran out the front door and down the hill towards the street. Phillips then fell on the roadway and injured his hand. As Phillips got up, an officer was able to get behind him with his vehicle. As Phillips turned to come back to the house, police were able to surround him near the residence. At this time, a third officer arrived and exited his vehicle, drew his taser and ordered Phillips to the ground, the complaint states.
With the three officers surrounding him, Phillips went to the ground and put his hands behind his back. Police handcuffed Phillips and got him medical attention for a cut on his hand that occurred when he fell, the complaint indicates.
Phillips was given a preliminary breath test, and it was positive for alcohol with a .226% blood alcohol content, the complaint notes.
He was arraigned at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 5, in front of Magisterial District Judge Douglas Robert Chambers on the following charges:
– Aggravated Assault – Attempts to cause serious bodily injury or causes injury with extreme indifference, Felony 1
– Aggravated Assault – Attempts to cause or causes serious bodily injury to designated individuals, Felony 1
– Aggravated Assault – Attempts to cause or causes bodily injury to designated individuals, Felony 2
– Aggravated Assault – Attempts to cause or causes bodily injury with deadly weapon, Felony 2
– Terroristic Threats with Intent to Terrorize Another, Misdemeanor 1
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2 (five counts)
– Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Misdemeanor 2
– Public Drunkenness and Similar Misconduct, Summary
Philips waived his right to a preliminary hearing on April 13.
Unable to post $75,000.00 monetary bond, Phillips was lodged in the Jefferson County Jail.
