71-Year-Old Man Jailed After Allegedly Throwing Punches, Dentures at North Strabane Police

A 71-year-old Eighty-Four man was jailed Friday after police said he became physically combative over a car parked in his driveway—an incident that ended with the man throwing both punches and his dentures at officers, one of whom needed medical attention.

Police charged William Lee Moody, of 1229 state Route 519, with seven counts of aggravated assault, and one count each of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and obstruction of the administration of law enforcement.

Police said officers were summoned to the 1200 block of state Route 519 in Eighty-Four to investigate a multi-vehicle crash that had happened there.

That’s when officers encountered Moody, who approached police wanting to know why a car was parked in his driveway. The car belonged to a female Samaritan who had pulled over to help an older woman who had been involved in the crash.  

“Moody was very angry and belligerent, screaming” at police and the female Samaritan. When an officer intervened, Moody became physically combative, reportedly pushing and shoving the officer while using profanity. Moody continued to push and shove as the officer tried to subdue him, according to the criminal complaint.

Police then advised Moody that he was under arrest, at which time two officers attempted to take him into custody. He resisted, and had to be “tackled to the ground,” where, according to court documents, he continued to resist arrest.

Once in custody, police said Moody “faked” being unresponsive, and when an officer removed one handcuff so aid could be rendered, the man “became belligerent and combative. He swung and hit (two officers), as well as a Canonsburg paramedic.”

Officers were finally able to transport Moody to the North Strabane Township Police Department, where he was to be transported to Canonsburg General Hospital.

“Moody again became combative and belligerent” and the criminal complaint indicated he “squared off” against officers, “clinched his fists” and threatened to again assault officers.

That’s when police said Moody removed his dentures and the smokeless tobacco from his mouth and threw them at the officers, striking one on the chest and arm.

Moody again had to be subdued after he began swinging at officers again, according to the complaint. One of the officers needed medical attention.

Moody was arraigned before district Judge Curtis Thompson and remanded to the Washington County Jail after being unable to post a $75,000 percentage bond. He was no longer listed as an inmate there as of Monday afternoon.

Moody is scheduled to appear before district Judge Jay Weller for a preliminary hearing at 10 a.m. June 10.  

Join Patch for more community news or join us on Facebook and Twitter.