Police examine possible sex assaults
The State College Police Department is investigating two possible sexual assaults reported this weekend.
A friend of the victim reported the first incident, which occurred around 4 a.m. yesterday in downtown State College, State College police Cpl. Tim Sleeth said. He said the victim refused medical treatment and refused to provide police with any information.
A separate incident that is being investigated as an acquaintance rape occurred sometime Thursday night on the 300 block of First Avenue, State College police Sgt. John Wilson said. The victim refused to cooperate with police, he said, and no further information is available.
Police chase woman after alleged hit
A woman is expected to face charges after she allegedly hit a parked vehicle on East Branch Road, fled the scene and led officers from the State College Police Department in a brief chase Friday afternoon.
The woman, who was apprehended half an hour later, allegedly struck an unoccupied parked car at about 4:45 p.m. Friday at Hills Plaza. Police followed her through Lemont for about two minutes before officers called off the pursuit because they "were unable to catch up in a safe manner," State College police Sgt. John Wilson said. Wilson said the woman also reportedly sideswiped another car at the intersection of East Branch Road and Elmwood Street when that motorist pulled over to allow her to pass. There were no injuries. Wilson declined to comment on possible charges or any additional information about the driver. He said the incident is under investigation.
Man arrested after hitting barricade
State College resident David Gummo was arrested this weekend after police said his vehicle hit and destroyed security barricades on the southeast sidewalk of Beaver Stadium at about 7 p.m. Friday, Penn State University Police said.
Gummo attempted to flee the area on foot but was apprehended by university police a few minutes later on Fox Hollow Road. Police determined that Gummo had been driving under the influence. He was transported to Mount Nittany Medical Center for treatment and evaluation. The vehicle suffered moderate damage and had to be towed from the scene. One barricade was cracked and the other was destroyed; damage estimates totaled $700, police said. Gummo was arraigned before District Justice Dan Hoffman and committed to Centre County Prison in lieu of $15,000 bail, police said.
Man searched, found with marijuana
John Piergalline, 31, of Pennsylvania Furnace, is expected to be charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, the State College Police Department said. Piergalline was stopped by officers when he was seen riding his bicycle without a headlight at about 10:30 p.m. Saturday on Walnut Spring Lane, police said. Officers discovered that Piergalline was intoxicated, and when they searched him for weapons, they found a small amount of marijuana and a pipe, police said.
Student charged with criminal mischief
Penn State student Alexander Homyak of Pittsburgh was arrested and charged with criminal mischief, criminal trespass, public drunkenness and a liquor law violation after allegedly damaging the entrance door to the Land and Water Building at about 6 a.m. Friday, Penn State University Police said. Homyak was discovered inside the building. He was arraigned before District Justice Jonathan Grine and released on $1,200 bail.
