Renee Zacour has been accused of interfering with a police investigation in Ford City Borough on July 16. Her Summary Trial is scheduled for September 27. (KP file photo)
A Ford City man will face a preliminary hearing this Friday while a Ford City woman awaits her summary trial stemming from the same event.
According to documents obtained through a Right-to-Know request by the Kittanning Paper to the Ford City Police Department, the incident happened on July 15.
Shortly before 11PM, Ford City Police officer Kevin Hess witnessed Jason Paul Hileman of 996 Ross Avenue attempting to make a left-hand turn from the Ford City Foodland parking lot onto 5th Avenue. When Hileman saw the police cruiser, he stopped his vehicle and reversed, backing up nearly half a block, then back into the Foodland lot. According to the police report, Hileman parked his GMC truck in a parking space. When Hess activated his emergency lights and siren, Hileman allegedly walked away rapidly into an alley, ignoring orders by Hess to stop. Hileman then entered a residence located several houses away.
When Hess and Officer Roger Wright attempted to discuss the situation with Hileman, the report indicates Hileman entered the residence ignoring orders by police not to do so. When police were given permission by Marion Barb Hileman, Jason’s mother, to search the residence, Jason was not to be found.
Shortly after 1AM, officers arranged for the GMC truck to be impounded. During that event, Marion Hileman came to the scene with a group of approximately six females. Hess noticed Jason running to his truck and deployed his taser, when Marion stepped in front of Jason blocking the taser’s line of sight.
While Jason was being subdued and placed into the police cruiser, Marion fell in an apparent seizure and had to be taken by medical personnel to ACMH Hospital. While Officer Lt. Robert Gahagan attempted to provide assistance, Ford City resident Renee Zacour began making accusations and interfering with officers. Zacour questioned why Jason was being arrested and allegedly refused to cooperate with Gahagan’s request to move to the sidewalk. According to witnesses, Zacour kept coming closer to Gahagan as she continued to raise her voice - Gahagan raising his hand and again requesting she move back.
Gahagan (KP file photo)
According to the police report, Zacour came forward until Gahagan’s open palms touched her forearms. She then began to shout: “He’s grabbing me! Look, everyone! He’s pushing me.” She was also quoted as saying, “”I’m calling my lawyer and I’ll have your job for this! When Chuck gets through with you, you’ll never be a police officer again.”
Zacour allegedly moved to the sidewalk where other people were standing and proceeded to tell them, “You all saw him push me and I want to have you testify in court that you saw what happened to me!”
Hileman was arrested and will have a Preliminary Hearing this Friday at 9:30 AM before Magisterial District Judge Gary Decomo. His charges include second-degree DUI, Driving While Operator Privileges were Suspended or Revoked, Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Conduct, Public Drunkenness, Hindering a Policeman in the Performance of His Duty, and marking Terroristic Threats with Intent to Terrorize Another.
Zacour is scheduled for a Summary Trial on September 27 at 1:40 PM before District Magisterial Judge James Andring. Her charges include Disorderly Conduct, and Hindering a Policeman in the Performance of His Duty.
Her attorney, Chuck Pascal, confirmed last night he will represent her at the Summary Trial and would be prepared to address the allegations made by police against his client.
“The versions of what happened that night vary based upon one’s perspective, so I think all of that will come out at the trial in front of Judge Andring,” Pascal said.