A dispute over an unpaid bar tab in Clifton Heights ended with one man slashed in the arm and a 36-year-old New Castle man behind bars on charges including aggravated assault. Kevin A. Kelly now faces a preliminary hearing after police say he waved a knife at a tavern on the unit block of East Broadway Avenue before being disarmed by security guards.
Police were called to the tavern at about 9:25 p.m. Friday for a report of a person with a knife, according to a criminal complaint cited by Delco Times. When officers arrived, they found security guards restraining a man on the side of the building, the complaint states.
According to the complaint, security said Kelly acted aggressively with staff and escorted him outside. After Kelly was outside, a bartender told security that he had not paid his bill. A confrontation over the bill then escalated into pushing. It was during that scuffle, per the complaint, that Kelly allegedly slashed the victim on the arm.
Victim Rushed to Hospital After Realizing He'd Been Cut
The victim told police he realized he had been cut only after hearing a witness yell, “he has a knife,” according to the complaint. He suffered a 2-inch laceration and was taken by ambulance to Lankenau Medical Center, where he received several stitches.
Tavern security managed to disarm Kelly before officers arrived, even as he allegedly continued waving the knife. Police later recovered a 3-inch folding knife at the scene, the complaint says. The criminal complaint in the case was filed by Sgt. Ryan Berry, who described Kelly as uncooperative during the arrest process and highly intoxicated.
Charges and Court Proceedings
Kelly was identified by police as the suspect and arrested on charges of aggravated assault, possession of an instrument of crime, simple assault, reckless endangerment and public drunkenness. Under Pennsylvania law, aggravated assault is defined and penalized under Title 18, Section 2702 of the state's Crimes and Offenses code, while simple assault falls under Section 2701. The public drunkenness charge stems from Section 5505 of the same code.
District Judge Gabriella H. Coleman arraigned Kelly and set bail at 10 percent of $100,000. He was taken to Delaware County Prison and had not posted bail as of the time the case was reported. Kelly is scheduled to appear before Judge Coleman for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 27.
Those following the case can track its progress through the Delaware County Criminal Dockets system, which maintains public records on pending court matters in the county.
