Charges reduced in Monongahela kidnap caper
A Donora pair accused of snatching a man from a Monongahela street bench and throwing him into the back of a car will not stand trial.
Andre Wilkerson, 29, and Crystal Dunmeyer, 34, both of 1222 McKean Ave., each had the most serious charges against them withdrawn after alleged victim William Sawicky did not appear to testify.
Instead, each pleaded guilty to summary counts of disorderly conduct before Magisterial District Judge Mark Wilson in Monongahela for the alleged May 11 incident.
Police arrested Wilkerson and Dunmeyer after Jillian Brown reported she was sitting with Wilkerson on a bench in front of the fire hall and police station at 449 W. Main St. when a car pulled up.
Brown told police a man, later identified as Wilkerson, got out, grabbed Sawicky by the back of the head and shoved him into the back seat.
The alleged driver, Dunmeyer, then took off toward Donora.
Brown accompanied Monongahela police to Carroll Township's Black Diamond section, where they saw Sawicky badly injured on the side of the road.
As Sawicky was being treated by ambulance personnel, Donora police stopped Dunmeyer's car and arrested the pair.
Wilkerson allegedly told police he was upset nothing was being done about his TV being stolen, so he took matters into his own hands.
Wilkerson said he used his Facebook page to seek information about Sawicky's whereabouts, police said.
Original charges
Wilkerson originally was charged with felony kidnapping, unlawful restraint, aggravated assault and three counts of conspiracy.
He also faced lesser counts of simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct.
Dunmeyer was charged with felony unlawful restraint and conspiracy and a summary count of disorderly conduct.
Police Chief Brian Tempest said the Washington County District Attorney's office agreed to withdraw the charges after Sawicky told officials he wouldn't be at the hearings because he had moved out of Pennsylvania.
Wilkerson and Dunmeyer were returned to the Washington County Correctional Facility, where Dunmeyer was scheduled to be released Thursday.
Stacy Wolford is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-684-2640 or at swolford@tribweb.com.
