CORNPLANTER TWP., Pa. (EYT) — An Oil City man was arrested last Wednesday after he allegedly assaulted two juveniles at a residence in Cornplanter Township.

Court documents indicate the Franklin-based State Police filed criminal charges against 39-year-old Jerry Lee Irwin.

According to a criminal complaint, around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, a known juvenile victim called Venango County 9-1-1 to report that Jerry Irwin was hitting a known autistic juvenile and had refused to allow a known woman to leave a residence in Cornplanter Township, Venango County. The first juvenile victim reported she and the other juvenile had fled the residence for their safety.

Franklin-based State Police responded to the scene.

According to the complaint, the troopers observed an open wound on the first known juvenile’s leg and a small red mark on the top of her head. The troopers also observed swelling to the nasal portion of the second known juvenile’s face.

The complaint states the known woman reported that the incident began with Irwin yelling at the juveniles about the state of the residence, and he then began to hit and punch things inside the house. She reported that she and the first juvenile went outside, but Irwin kept the second juvenile inside the house and began hitting him, then came outside the house with his arm around the second juvenile’s neck.

According to the complaint, the woman reported Irwin then pulled the second juvenile to the ground and began “hitting him all over.” He then got off of the second juvenile, then began hitting the first juvenile, and also took her to the ground. The woman told police she then jumped on Irwin so the first juvenile could get away and told both juveniles to run to a nearby business and contact the police.

The complaint notes that Irwin had fled the scene by the time police arrived. The troopers then attempted to locate Irwin at a relative’s residence and received information from a known individual that they had just seen Irwin on Petroleum Center Road in the area of the Oil Creek State Park Office.

According to police, troopers responded to the area of Petroleum Center Road and observed Irwin’s vehicle, a silver Toyota RAV-4, approaching from the opposite direction. The troopers then initiated a traffic stop, and Irwin was taken into custody without incident.

Irwin was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish at 10:00 a.m. on July 9, on the following charges:

– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2 (two counts)
– Harassment — Subject Other to Physical Contact, Summary (two counts)

Unable to post $15,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Venango County Jail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on July 22 in Venango County Central Court with Judge Fish presiding.