The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA

November 23, 2009

Man accused of assaulting woman, city police officer

By PATRICK BUCHNOWSKI

JOHNSTOWN — A Johnstown man was jailed after he allegedly choked a woman who wouldn’t give him money, then punched a police officer who was arresting him Saturday.

City police said Christopher Gorzelsky, 26, of the 800 block of Napoleon Street, asked a woman for money, saying an ATM machine “ate” his card.

The woman refused because she apparently had loaned Gorzelsky money before and was not repaid, police said.

Gorzelsky then “came at her on the couch and choked her,” police said.

The incident occurred at his residence.

Gorzelsky broke the telephone so the woman couldn’t call for help, police said.

She fled to the Women’s Help Center on Napoleon Street, where she called police.

Authorities said Gorzelsky struggled with police as they tried to handcuff him and struck an officer in the face.

Police said they deployed a Taser two times to control Gorzelsky.

He was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, resisting arrest, harassment and disorderly conduct.

Gorzelsky was arraigned Saturday by District Judge Michael Musulin of Johnstown and sent to the Cambria County Prison after failing to post 10 percent of his $50,000 bond.