Police: Local Man Tased After Attempting to Force His Way into Cranberry Township Residence
CRANBERRY TWP., Pa. (EYT) – A local man is behind bars on felony burglary, assault, and related charges following a pair of incidents in Cranberry Township.
Court records show Franklin-based State Police filed criminal charges against 34-year-old Kevin John Laroche Jr., of Cranberry, on Saturday, September 16, in Magisterial District Judge Patrick E. Lowrey’s office.
According to a criminal complaint, PSP Franklin received a phone call around 11:40 p.m. on Friday, September 15, from a known victim who related that Kevin Laroche Jr. was intoxicated and was out of control.
Trooper Falco and Trooper Marvin were dispatched to the call in the 500 block of Hill City Road, in Cranberry Township, Venango County.
When troopers arrived on the scene around 11:50 p.m., a male began to walk away from the troopers who were exiting the cruiser. A bystander related that was Laroche, and they needed to talk to him. Trooper Falco shouted, “Hey Kevin!” and the male (Laroche) began to run, the complaint states.
Trooper Falco attempted to follow, but lost sight of him in the woods. Due to the unknown nature of the call, the troopers returned to the original call location and interviewed the involved parties. The witnesses related that Laroche had returned home, driving his car, and hit the ditch, causing damage to the front bumper. The victim related had traveled down Hill City Road and hit the ditch just before the driveway of his residence, the complaint indicates.
He related Laroche drove down through his property, exited his car, and entered into a verbal argument with his girlfriend. The victim explained Laroche became violent and began to state threats. He then called police to respond to the location, the complaint notes.
The victim related Laroche was intoxicated and out of control. After speaking with the victim, troopers again attempted to locate Laroche, but were unsuccessful, the complaint states.
The victim related Laroche lived in a tiny home behind his residence. Laroche’s girlfriend was interviewed and related that they had been drinking and smoking marijuana before this incident. She also related that they were on the way to Laroche’s residence when his vehicle hit a ditch near Allison Road, causing damage to the car. The girlfriend related Laroche continued to drive home, where he hit the ditch in front of the victim’s driveway. She stated Laroche parked in the yard and began to yell at her and troopers showed up shortly after, the complaint indicates.
Trooper Falco observed white car parts, and a mark in the ditch at the edge of Hill City Road and the victim’s driveway, the complaint notes.
Trooper Marvin and Trooper Falco then cleared the scene.
On September 16, around 1:40 a.m., the victim called PSP Franklin again and stated Laroche was beating on the front door and was trying to break into the house. The victim related he was in fear for his life and all parties inside the residence. He also stated that Laroche was out of control, and was physically attempting to knock the door down, the complaint states.
Troopers again arrived on scene at 1:55 a.m. and learned that Laroche ran off to the left side of a garage. Trooper Marvin and Trooper Falco followed footprints that could be seen in the dew/grass. The prints led to a new neighboring property as the troopers are observed Laroche laying down and attempting to hide from police, the complaint indicates.
Trooper Falco began to yell at Laroche to “get out here.” Laroche then jumped up and began to yell “(expletive) you,” and charged directly towards the two troopers, according to the complaint.
Laroche failed to listen to the troopers’ verbal commands to stop and show his hands, and continued to charge. Trooper Falco then deployed his taser, and Laroche fell to the ground where a struggle ensued before he was placed in handcuffs, the complaint states.
Laroche continued to fight and struggle the entire way back to the patrol car. After a long struggle, Laroche was placed into the patrol car, the complaint indicates.
Troopers then interviewed all involved parties.
Upon interviewing one male, Trooper Falco observed a large injury to his top of his head that was actively bleeding. He related he had injured his head while attempting to keep Laroche from entering the residence while Laroche was in the doorway trying to force his way in, the complaint notes.
The injuries were photographed.
It was noted that the man refused medical treatment.
Police also learned that Laroche had broken the main door frame of the front door while attempting to force his way into the residence, the complaint indicates.
Laroche was arraigned at 6:23 a.m. on September 16, on the following charges in front of Judge Lowrey:
- Burglary – Overnight Accommodations; Person Present, Bodily Injury Crime, Felony 1
- DUI: Gen Impairment/Incompetent of Driving Safely – 1st Offense, Misdemeanor
- Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2
- Resist Arrest/Other Law Enforcement, Misdemeanor 2
- Criminal Mischief – Damage Property, Misdemeanor 3
- Harassment – Subject Other to Physical Contact, Summary
- Careless Driving, Summary
- Disorderly Conduct Hazardous/Physi Offense, Summary
Unable to post $25,000.00 monetary bail, he was placed in the Venango County Prison.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, September 27, at 10:30 a.m. in Venango County Central Court.
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