2 suspects facing charges after scuffles with police
Sunday was a rough day for Butler police.
Four city officers were allegedly accosted, kicked and assaulted in two separate incidents. Two of the officers ended up injured in one of the altercations.
Police arrested Joshua P. Luchkiw, 31, and Asia Basham, 19, both of Butler on felony assault and other charges.
Police said they began looking for Luchkiw shortly before 6 a.m. Sunday after he allegedly attacked his girlfriend at the couple's home on Hickory Street.
The victim, Emerald Adamik, told officers that she was sleeping on the sofa when the defendant returned home drunk and angry, according to court documents.
He is accused of punching Adamik in the face and head. She managed to flee the home and call for help from a neighbor's house. She was taken to Butler Memorial Hospital for apparent minor injuries in the suspected assault.
About eight hours later, police returned to the couple's home when Adamik called about 2:35 p.m. to report her boyfriend was back, documents said.
Capt. James Hollobaugh and Patrolman Cory Fleming got there and found Luchkiw seated in a vehicle at the rear of the house. When the officers tried to place him in handcuffs, documents said, he clenched his hands, cursed and spun away.
Luchkiw is accused of grabbing and tearing Hollobaugh's jacket and kicking him. Fleming moved in and grabbed the suspect's right hand as the officers got him under control. Still, police said, he continued to struggle and kick the officers.
Hollobaugh suffered a cut and swelling to his right middle finger and Fleming had a cut and swelling to his right elbow.
District Judge Sue Haggerty arraigned Luchkiw on a felony charge of aggravated assault on police and a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest.He also was arraigned on a separate charge of simple assault stemming from the earlier domestic dispute.The defendant is in the county prison on $102,000 bail.At about 12:20 a.m. Sunday, police were called to a one-vehicle wreck in the 100 block of Morton Avenue and found Basham in the driver's seat of the crashed car.Police said she smelled of alcohol and appeared to be impaired, documents said. She was arrested and allegedly kicked Patrolman Nicholas Shulik as he placed her in the patrol car.Basham was taken to the police station where she managed to slip her handcuffs. Moments later, police said, she punched Sgt. David Villotti.Outside the prison, she allegedly kicked Villotti again as he removed her from the patrol car.Haggerty arraigned Basham on charges of aggravated assault on police, resisting arrest, driving under the influence and underage drinking. She was placed in the county prison on $2,000 bail following arraignment. She was later released on bail.
