An arrest warrant has been issued for a Schuylkill County man accused of breaking another man’s jaw during a physical altercation earlier this year that involved a ratchet and a skateboard.
According to an affidavit filed in District Court, State Police-Frackville were called to a home on Valley St. in New Philadelphia back on March 9 for a reported assault.
When police spoke to the alleged victim, police say he related that he had been involved in a previous altercation on Valley St. Following that altercation, the victim said he then got into an altercation with the man police are looking for – identified as 20-year-old Eric Rodweller, of New Philadelphia – and an unknown male named “James”.Â
Rodweller, according to the victim’s statement to police, was apparently feeling disrespected by the previous altercation involving the victim since it happened in front of his house. This verbal altercation escalated and became physical when Rodweller allegedly struck the victim in the side of the face with a skateboard and metal ratchet.
The right side of the victim’s face appeared red and he had a cut on his left hand, which the victim accounted for by saying he attempted to cover his face, police say.
A juvenile eyewitness to the assault corroborated the statement given by the victim, police add.
The victim was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Pottsville for treatment. Later that month, the victim reportedly told police that he’d suffered a broken jaw that required surgery to repair. Police say medical records from Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest confirmed what the victim said regarding the extent of his injuries and the treatment required.
Rodweller is facing felony counts of aggravated assault (attempting to cause bodily injury with a deadly weapon) and aggravated assault (extreme indifference) as well as a misdemeanor count of simple assault and a summary offense for harassment.
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