Charges Refiled Against Cochranton Man in New Year’s Eve Assault

| February 12, 2016

GavelFRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) – Aggravated assault and related charges against a Cochranton man stemming from a New Year’s Eve hit and run incident were refiled yesterday.

According to court documents, on February 11, Sugarcreek Boro Police filed criminal charges against against 61-year-old Lawrence Wayne Melvin, Sr., of Cochranton.

A preliminary hearing that was scheduled for February 10 in reference to this case was cancelled and all charges against Melvin were withdrawn, according to court documents.

Court documents indicate charges were refiled against Melvin at 5:00 p.m. on February 11 during a arraignment in front of Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish.

Melvin faces the same charges, as follows:

  • Aggravated Assault by Vehicle, Felony 3
  • Aggravated Assault, Felony 2
  • Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Misdemeanor 2
  • Accidents Involving Death Or Personal Injury, Felony 3
  • Reckless Driving, Summary

Details on the Hit and Run Incident

According to a criminal complaint, on December 31, 2015, officers were dispatched to the area of 145 Weaver Street in Sugarcreek Borough, Venango County, for the report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. On location, officers learned that a male victim was engaged in a physical altercation with a male driver. The physical altercation took place through the window of the suspect’s vehicle, with the male victim outside and the male driver inside the vehicle. After the physical altercation ended, the male victim began walking towards his house, and the male driver drove the vehicle away. Prior to getting back to his residence, the stated vehicle came back up the driveway at a fast speed, and the male victim was struck by the vehicle. The male victim suffered several fractures and other injuries. The male victim stated the vehicle was a wagon/SUV type vehicle.

The complaint states that on January 15, 2016, Lieutenant Ryan Ashbaugh received a tip from an anonymous person concerning the possible identity of the driver involved in the incident.

The complaint indicates that on January 15, Officer Joseph Highfield spoke with the possible suspect who stated he was not involved in an accident as he was on house arrest until January 4, 2016, and can guarantee he was home because of the electronic monitoring. When questioned about the incident, the known man did allegedly confess to Officer Highfield that his father, Lawrence Melvin, Sr., was the driver of the vehicle involved.

The known man allegedly stated that his father called him while he was at work around January 4 or January 5 and told him he was in a fight. The known man asked if he was all right and the suspect stated he had some cuts and bruises but was ultimately okay. The known man allegedly stated that later that night he got a call from the suspect, and that is when he told him he was involved in a fight. The suspect allegedly told the known man that he was lost looking for a friend’s house and came to a driveway and was going to ask for directions when the male came towards him, they began arguing, and then began fighting through the window. When asked about the suspect intentionally hitting the victim with the vehicle, the known man stated that he really didn’t say too much about that part. The known man stated that the suspect owns a white pickup and a Dodge SUV, according to the complaint.

Officer Highfield believes the 2012 Dodge Durango to be the same vehicle involved in the aggravated assault and Lawrence Melvin, Sr., to be the driver of that vehicle at the time of the incident, the complaint continues.

Melvin Remains Incarcerated, Awaits Preliminary Hearing

Yesterday Judge Fish set Melvin’s bail at $125,000.00 monetary.

He remains lodged in the Venango County Jail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on February 17 in Venango County Central Court with Judge Fish presiding.

No other information was available.


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