Paul Washington Accused Of Punching 72-Year-Old Store Employee In North Versailles
UPDATED: 7:37 pm EST December 10, 2009
NORTH VERSAILLES, Pa. -- A man accused of punching a 72-year-old Walmart greeter in the face was arrested Thursday and had his bond revoked after showing up late for his preliminary hearing, where a judge said he smelled of alcohol.
North Versailles police Chief James Comunale told Channel 4 Action News that Thomas Jenkins was standing at the entrance to the store on Route 30 when Paul Washington Jr. walked up to him and punched him in the face on Dec. 1.
Surveillance video shows Jenkins walking up the sidewalk into the store. The 55-year-old suspect can be seen at the entrance. The video shows the punch being thrown and Jenkins falling to the ground.
"He had lost a lot of blood. His teeth, his plate, had been broken and he was bleeding very heavily. We were trying to control the bleeding," said Sgt. Vincent DiCenzo of the North Versailles police.
Police said that DiCenzo was parked in front of the entrance during the incident and can be seen in the surveillance video in a white sport utility vehicle. Police said Jenkins was still on the ground as the suspect walked past the police car and jumped into the passenger seat of another car.
"So I went over to the vehicle, removed the passenger and put him in my police car," DiCenzo said. "I originally asked him, 'Why did you punch him?' and he said, 'He bumped me.'"
Jenkins was taken to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital for treatment, police said.
District Judge Robert Barner set bail at $100,000 on Thursday and ordered Washington to go through drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
Washington's preliminary hearing will be rescheduled for sometime next week. He is facing charges including assault, harassment and public drunkenness.
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