OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) — An Oil City Man is facing assault and related charges after he allegedly threatened a known victim with a pellet gun, then crashed into a tree while attempting to flee.
Court documents indicate that the Oil City Police Department filed criminal charges against 18-year-old Austin Tyler Spruill of Oil City.
According to a criminal complaint, around 11:30 a.m. on Friday, October 26, Austin Tyler Spruill engaged in a verbal argument with a known victim and during the course of the argument, Spruill allegedly pulled out a “high-powered pellet rifle” and pointed it at the victim, while stating that it was “real” and it was “loaded.”
The victim then approached Spruill and attempted to take possession of the rifle, and Spruill and the victim began to wrestle over the gun, which ended up landing away from both individuals, according to the complaint.
Spruill then allegedly fled into another room and locked the door. The victim secured the rifle in a separate portion of the residence.
According to the complaint, as the victim secured the rifle, Spruill took the keys to his parents’ 2014 Nissan Rogue, opened the garage door, and fled the residence in the vehicle.
The complaint notes that Spruill, who is unlicensed, was unfamiliar with the operation of the vehicle and backed it across High Street, through a neighbor’s yard, where the vehicle collided with a tree.
Following the collision, Spruill allegedly fled the area on foot toward Oak Grove Street into the Siverly area.
Ptlm. Culp of the Oil City Police Department then made contact with Spruill, who allegedly said “you need to arrest me and take me in” and “I’m in a lot of trouble.”
According to the complaint, when police asked Spruill what he meant, he admitted that he pulled a pellet gun on the victim at his residence and “almost shot” the victim. Spruill then told Ptlm. Culp that he attempted to flee the area in his parents’ car and crashed it into the woods near the residence.
After detaining Spruill, Ptlm. Culp investigated the scene and observed physical evidence that corroborated Spruill’s statements.
The following charges were filed on Monday, November 5, in Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish’s office:
- Terroristic Threats With Intent To Terrorize Another, Misdemeanor 1
- Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2
- Harassment — Subject Other to Physical Contact, Summary
- Driving Without A License, Summary
- Back Up Vehicle Improperly, Summary
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 12, with Judge Fish presiding.
