A 39-year-old man is facing aggravated assault and other charges after police say he threatened to kill a Mahanoy City homeowner while armed with a knife Tuesday evening.
John Joseph Byczek was charged by Mahanoy City Police following an incident reported around 6 p.m. , in the 600 block of West Centre Street.
Police Describe West Centre Street Incident
According to an affidavit of probable cause, police were dispatched after receiving a report that a man was kicking and pounding on a woman’s door and had threatened to kill her. While an officer was responding, dispatch provided additional information that the man was armed.
The homeowner told police the man had left the property and was walking east on Centre Street, according to the affidavit.
An officer subsequently located Byczek sitting on a front porch in the 400 block of West Centre Street. Police said he matched the description provided by the homeowner.
According to the affidavit, Byczek became hostile during the encounter. When asked where the weapon was, police said he produced a black knife from his rear pocket. The officer seized the knife, which was later logged into evidence.
Byczek told police he had been at the residence retrieving iced tea, a drill and cigarettes, according to the affidavit. He denied having a confrontation with the homeowner.
Police took Byczek into custody with assistance from Shenandoah and West Mahanoy Township police.
During a follow-up interview, the homeowner told police she rented the upper portion of the residence to members of Byczek’s family and had allowed him to stay there despite his not being on the lease.
She reported that Byczek began kicking and pounding on her front door after she told him to leave. According to the affidavit, she said he threatened to kill her with the knife and made a throat-slashing gesture across his own neck before leaving.
Charges Filed Against John Joseph Byczek
Byczek faces the following charges:
- One count of aggravated assault, a second-degree felony;
- One count of possessing an instrument of crime, a first-degree misdemeanor;
- One count of terroristic threats, a first-degree misdemeanor; and
- Two counts of simple assault, both second-degree misdemeanors.
Bail and Preliminary Hearing
According to court records dated , Byczek was being held in Schuylkill County Prison after being unable to post $10,000 monetary bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for , before Magisterial District Judge Christian Lengel.
All charges are allegations. Byczek is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.