SOMERSET — A work-release inmate at the Somerset County Jail was arraigned Tuesday on escape charges after reportedly setting off a fire alarm to unlock the door and scuffling with guards last month.
Kenneth Lee Rose, 25, of Somerset, is charged by borough police with escape, aggravated assault, assault by prisoner, false alarms and harassment.
A preliminary hearing tentatively is scheduled for Tuesday before District Judge Art Cook of Somerset.
In a court document, Officer Angelo Cancelliere said Rose activated a fire alarm June 10 in the work-release center’s dayroom, knowing that it would deactivate the lock on an outside door.
Rose was in jail on a probation revocation for burglary, criminal trespass and theft.
After pulling the alarm, authorities said Rose pushed open the door and ran through a nearby parking lot into an alley behind 1st Summit Bank.
Guard Jeffrey Barna eventually tackled Rose behind the bank.
As Rose allegedly struggled with the guard to escape, police said he declared, “It would be much easier for everyone if you just let me go.”
Rose eventually was subdued with help from guard Paul Hay.
Police said Barna sustained cuts and scrapes to his right arm and injuries to his left elbow and forearm that required medical treatment.
During a recorded visit with his mother the next day, Rose confessed to the incident, authorities said.
Barna, of Meyersdale, received a letter of commendation from the Somerset County Prison Board.
The letter read, in part: “Your instinctive action of pursuing and apprehending this inmate is evident of the degree to which you perform your duties.
“Given the nature of this incident, it would have caused great concern to the county and public had he succeeded in escaping. Thanks to your decision, this situation was prevented.”
Local News
Somerset inmate pulled alarm during escape, police say
- Local News
-
-
Mild winter speeds work: Entertainment venue may be complete by end of May
An unusually mild winter has accelerated construction of a new outdoor entertainment venue in Johnstown.
-
Man jailed on rash of charges
A Patton man is being held on $100,000 bond after police said he threatened to kill a woman, her family and himself unless she talked to him about a protection-from-abuse order.
-
Cambria abolishes 16 jobs
Following through on promises to cut budget costs, the Cambria County commissioners voted Thursday to abolish 16 positions, including nine full-time jobs.
-
Blogging with heart
Anyone else have this issue: The more I know, the more I want to learn.
As I am writing my heart month stories for this week’s packages, I occasionally come across a term or description unfamiliar to me. So I look it up. And then the definition or article has something else that sounds important, so I look that up. -
Wozniak defends his support of drilling bill
State Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, one of only seven Democrats to support the Marcellus Shale legislation adopted this week, said the bill protects the environment and provides help to local communities impacted by the natural gas drilling.
-
Businessman hoping to unseat Wozniak
Tim Houser uses two words – “challenging opportunity” – to describe his goal in this year’s elections.
-
Judge tosses evidence in robbery
A Cambria County prosecutor said he’ll have to drop robbery charges against a Twin Rocks woman after much of his evidence was suppressed by a judge.
-
Shooting defendant pleads to attempted murder
A Philadelphia man pleaded guilty Thursday in county court to attempted murder and theft in a Nov. 18 home invasion in which the homeowner was shot.
-
Garrett man sought in Somerset crime
An arrest warrant has been issued for Samuel McFarland Jr., 33, of Berlin Street in Garrett in connection with Saturday’s robbery of two boys outside Dollar General on East Main Street in Somerset.
-
City man shot during alleged burglary
A Johnstown man was shot during a burglary attempt in Indiana County and then burglarized a home in Armstrong County before he was arrested, authorities said Thursday.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
