A Vandergrift police officer has been charged with assault and harassment by Gilpin police.
William Moore, 49, of Route 66, Gilpin, is charged with two counts each of simple assault and harassment — all misdemeanors. Moore is a full-time Vandergrift patrolman.
The charges stem from a May 21 incident at Moore's residence in which, police say, he physically assaulted and threatened a 14-year-old boy.
According to court papers, Gilpin police received a report from the Armstrong County Children and Youth Services office that the boy was seen at school with a scratch on his arm and, when asked by school employees how he got the injury, said it was from an altercation with Moore.
Moore, who said he has been on vacation, said he hadn't yet seen the criminal complaint.
Vandergrift Mayor Lou Purificato said borough police Chief John Caporali is investigating the incident but hadn't yet provided a report to borough officials.
Caporali has not returned repeated calls and messages for comment.
Moore, for the timebeing, remains on the job. According to court papers, the incident with the boy somehow was caught on video and, police say, Moore can be seen grabbing the boy by his arm and placing his hand over the boy's mouth. A bystander had to pull Moore's hand from the boy's face, court papers state.
The papers go on to accuse Moore of assaulting the boy again inside his home by placing his forearm against the boy's throat and again covering the boy's mouth with his hand. The papers state that Moore appeared drunk at the time of the incident and that he threatened to have the boy committed to a mental institution.
A preliminary hearing on the charges is scheduled for next month.
Chuck Biedka is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-226-4711, cbiedka@tribweb.com or via Twitter @ChuckBiedka.
