Friday, August 4, 2017

Man Facing Charges After Assaulting Police Officer

A man is facing charges after assaulting a police officer earlier this week.

On Sunday, July 30th, 2017 around 11:30am, Mahanoy City Police Officer Charles Kovalewski was on duty at the borough's police station he heard banging on the station door.

A check of the station's cameras showed Patrick Finneran, 23, of Mahanoy City.  Finneran was pounding on the door and kicking it, going from one door to another.

Kovalewski was familiar with Finneran from a previous incident a month prior where he had resisted arrest.  Due to his history, Kovalewski turned on his body camera.

Kovalewski then opened the door and asked Finneran, "What the problem was?" to which Finneran replied by raising his fists and saying "What’s up Charlie?", then took a swing at my Kovalewski's head.

Finneran then forced his way into the station as Kovalewskiattempted to avoid continuous punches.

Finneran was told to back up and when he refused Kovalewski deployed his Taser.

Finneran still refused commands to get down on the ground and shouted profanities.

After being told to get on the ground again Finneran again attempted to strike Kovalewski, where he had to be tasered several more times before getting him to the ground and into handcuffs

Finneran is now facing charges of aggravated assault, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.

Shenandoah and Ryan Township Police assisted in the incident.

Finneran is locked up in Schuylkill County Prison on $500,000 straight cash bail.