Jeannette parolee accused of kidnapping mother, arrested within day of release

Less than 24 hours after a Jeannette man was released from the Westmoreland County Prison, he was back in jail on charges of kidnapping his mother.

Jeannette police allege that Neal M. Hubish, 35, threatened the woman for hours until she was able to drive to a city gas station Wednesday morning, where she asked for help.

Hubish is being held on $250,000 bail.

His 61-year-old mother told police that she picked him up from the county prison Tuesday evening, and he was rambling incoherently, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Court records show that Hubish was sentenced to jail time and probation in three cases Tuesday and paroled. He had been in jail since July.

After arriving at home, the victim told police that Hubish broke her phone, threw a bottle of pills at her, yelled at her and threatened to hit her, according to the affidavit. He allegedly took her car keys and demanded $16,000 while continuing to talk incoherently, slam doors and walk around the house through the night, police said.

The woman told police that about 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, Hubish refused to let her go to work or anywhere that a phone or computer might be available, according to an affidavit.

She drove him to the BP gas station on Lowry Avenue around 8:30 a.m. and asked a clerk to call 911.

Cpl. Donald Johnston wrote in the complaint that the victim was “extremely distraught, she was shaking and her hands were fidgeting,” and she feared that Hubish would kill her if the police didn't arrest him.

Hubish is charged with kidnapping, unlawful restraint, robbery and driving with a suspended license. He didn't have an attorney listed in online court records. A Feb. 18 preliminary hearing before District Judge Joseph DeMarchis is set.

As part of the sentence imposed Tuesday, he was ordered to continue mental health treatment.

Renatta Signorini is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 724-837-5374 or rsignorini@tribweb.com.