OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) — A local man is in jail for allegedly threatening to burn his father’s house down and assaulting a police officer during a domestic dispute in Oil City. 

Court documents indicate the Oil City Police Department filed the following criminal charges against 28-year-old Austin Joseph Womer, on Saturday, September 24, in Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish’s office:

– Aggravated Assault — Attempts to cause or causes BI to designated individuals, Felony 2
– Terroristic Threats with Intent to Terrorize Another, Misdemeanor 1
– Resist Arrest/Other Law Enforcement, Misdemeanor 2
– Disorderly Conduct — Unreasonable Noise, Misdemeanor 3
– Public Drunkenness and Similar Misconduct, Summary

Oil City Police were dispatched to a residence on West Third Street in Oil City, Venango County, around 10:06 p.m. on September 23 for the caller’s son, Austin Womer, “not calming down and being suicidal.”

According to a criminal complaint, responding officers made their way towards the backyard of the residence and saw Womer yelling and screaming at his father while holding a gas can and a lighter.

Officers tried to calm Womer down before he attempted to retreat into the back door of the residence. An officer stopped Womer from going inside by grabbing him. At this point, Womer allegedly used his hands to grab and scratch the officer’s face, which caused bleeding, the complaint states.

Womer then allegedly shoved the officer before another officer assisted to force him to the ground and then place him into custody.

During an interview with police, Womer’s father stated that when he got home around 8:15 p.m., his son was immediately confrontational. He told police that he noticed his son was drinking, the complaint indicates.

He further explained that his son was upset about his vehicle not running correctly and then immediately went upstairs.

Around 10:00 p.m., the father stated he heard a slamming noise before Womer came in to the room and started to yell and scream about his vehicle not running.

He then told Womer that he was going to call the police before Womer went upstairs and started throwing items in his room. Womer’s father then called the police, and Womer overheard the conversation, the complaint notes.

According to Womer’s father, Womer became agitated and said that he was going to “put a bullet in his head,” the complaint states.

Womer then went outside to the garage and grabbed a gas can and lighter. When Womer’s father asked him what he was doing, Womer allegedly replied that he was “going to burn the house down,” according to the complaint.

The police arrived a short time later.

Womer was arraigned at 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, September 28, in front of Judge Fish.

Unable to post $50,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Venango County Prison.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, October 4, at 1:30 p.m., in Venango County Central Court with Judge Fish presiding.