By Rachel Wagoner
Beaver County Times
NEW BRIGHTON, Pa. — A borough man is facing aggravated assault and strangulation charges after he attacked a paramedic, police said.
New Brighton Area police were called around 6:45 p.m. Saturday to 1100 block of Sixth Avenue for a male and female arguing. Officers found Johnathan E. Harris, 45, lying in the street and unable to stand due to being under the influence of a controlled substance, according to the police report.
Officers noticed Harris’ shorts were ripped open, exposing him to the public, police said.
Harris’ girlfriend told police the two had recently smoked crack and injected heroin together, then they got into a verbal argument. Officers arrested Harris for being under the influence and transported him to the police department, according to the report.
While en route to the station, Harris said he was having chest pains, police said. An ambulance worker treated Harris at the department and transported him to Heritage Valley Beaver.
On the way to the hospital, a paramedic in the ambulance told police that Harris removed the sheet he was covered with and began masturbating. He refused to stop at the paramedic’s request, the medic told police.
When the medic turned around to use the radio to call the hospital, Harris grabbed her inappropriately while still masturbating, police said. Harris removed his hand when the medic told him to stop, but he grabbed her again when she turned around to use the radio, according to the police report.
The medic grabbed Harris’ arm to restrain him, and he grabbed her by the throat and squeezed, the medic told police. The medic said she had to hit Harris in the face to get him to let go, police said.
Harris, of 2020 Third Ave. Suite 204, also was charged with simple assault, indecent exposure, indecent assault, harassment and public drunkenness. He remains in Beaver County Jail after failing to post a $100,000 bond.
Copyright 2018 Beaver County Times