Larger text
Smaller text
Print
E-mail
Trooper on tractor arrests man with rifle
What Christopher George Bennett, 30, of Clarksburg, didn't know was that a state police trooper was with farmer Douglas Bieda on his combine tractor in a field along Tunnelton Road in Conemaugh Township.
Now Bennett, who lives along Tunnelton Road, is facing charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, terroristic threats and trespass by motor vehicle.
He was jailed in lieu of $10,000 bail after his arraignment Wednesday before District Justice Susanne Steffee, of Homer City.
State police Cpl. John Aloi, the investigating officer from the Indiana barracks, said Bieda requested help from authorities after an earlier incident with Bennett. In that incident, police alleged that Bennett drove his truck into the farmer's field and ordered Bieda, 48, to stop work for the night or he would harm him.
At that point, shortly before 11 p.m., Bieda was attempting to harvest corn before the weather grew worse, police said.
Trooper Bradley Overdorff, 40, responded to Bieda's call and stayed with Bieda on the tractor while he cleared the remaining few rows of corn, Aloi said.
Bennett then showed up, allegedly brandishing the weapon.
"(Bennett) approached the tractor and pointed the rifle at Bieda," Aloi said. "As Trooper Overdorff exited the tractor, the accused moved toward Overdorff and began to point the rifle toward Overdorff.
"Trooper Overdorff ordered the accused to drop the weapon and surrender, which he did."
Overdorff then took Bennett into custody.
Bennett told police he was upset about the tractor noise that late at night and used the rifle only to scare Bieda into stopping.
Neither Bennett nor Bieda could be reached for comment yesterday.
Bennett apparently did not have legal representation as of yesterday.
A woman who answered the phone at Bennett's home said she was not interested in saying anything.
More Regional headlines
- Defendant cooperates with DA in Meadows casino theft
- Planners need billions to rehabilitate roadways, bridges
- Cranberry couple under investigation in use of orphans' trust fund
- Blairsville dentist murder appeal rejected
- Flight 93 National Memorial event to honor heroes
- Taxpayers owed refunds sought
- Fayette County woman charged with embezzlement
- Newsmaker: Teresa Shellenbarger
