Butler man accused of hitting tow truck operator, fleeing police
A Butler man is accused of striking a tow truck operator with his vehicle and then fleeing from police later in the day, according to charges filed this week.
Jacob Joshua Campbell, 22, was charged with one felony count each of aggravated assault and simple assault and one misdemeanor count each of reckless endangerment and theft following the first incident, which happened around 11:15 a.m. Aug. 27. Later that day, he was charged with one misdemeanor count each of evading arrest and resisting arrest following a police encounter around 11 p.m.
Police said they were called that morning by a Pry’s Towing operator who was towing a vehicle from a Slippery Rock apartment complex. The operator told police Campbell witnessed his vehicle being towed and engaged with the operator.
Police said the vehicle was hooked to the truck and partially loaded on its flatbed during the incident. Campbell reportedly refused to pay $75 to take his vehicle back or $150 if it were impounded.
While the operator was in the tow truck, Campbell then disconnected his vehicle from the truck and drove off the flatbed. When the operator exited the tow truck, Campbell reportedly drove forward at high speeds and struck the operator in the leg with the front of his vehicle.
Police said the operator was in a significant amount of pain with injuries to his leg when they arrived.
Police were unable to locate Campbell until around 11 p.m. when an officer spotted him while finishing an unrelated traffic stop near Sheetz in Slippery Rock.
According to police, Campbell appeared nervous when police asked him about the earlier events and attempted to flee on foot. Police said two taser cartridges were deployed but were ineffective and failed to break the skin. Police then apprehended Campbell on foot.
Campbell is incarcerated in Butler County Prison on a $2,000 bail. His preliminary hearing for the evading and resisting charges is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sept. 3 before District Judge Joseph Nash. His preliminary hearing for the other charges has not yet been scheduled.
