A routine traffic stop for suspicion of DUI just after midnight on July 31in Silver Lake Township led to an altercation for two Montrose men with police.
John H. Wittenberg Jr., 22, has been charged with four felony counts of aggravated assault.
Wittenberg was the passenger in a vehicle driven by Joshua Peters Jr., 21, along Briton Road where the driver had been suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, and, according to a criminal complaint, “could barely stand up.”
Silver Lake police said the driver resisted arrest and was extremely disorderly.
While being transported to the hospital, Wittenberg smashed his head off the cage in the police vehicle and sustained a large laceration to the head and blood was splattered about.
He was offered medical attention.
According to the complaint, Wittenberg was screaming and threatened police officers and their families, even noting he would “put a bullet in all officers’ heads.”
Both are alleged to have used racial slurs and spit on officers, and the complaint notes that officer Jim Smith sustained an injury to his right hand after an encounter with the individuals.
In addition to the assault charges, Wittenberg faces four counts of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and terroristic threats.
Bail was set at $50,000, after Wittenberg was arraigned on July 31. A preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey Hollister on Aug. 2 was continued until Aug. 16.
Peters was charged with DUI, resisiting arrest and disorderly conduct and unsecured bail was set at $5,000. He waived his rights to a preliminary hearing before Hollister on Aug. 2.
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