A Schuylkill County man was jailed Friday and faces charges following a domestic dispute on Thursday night in which police say he allegedly forced a woman to the ground twice.
Shawn Bonawitz, 38, of Pine Grove Township, is accused of assaulting a woman at a residence on Lacey Drive, court documents show.
Troopers were dispatched to the home shortly before 10 p.m. on Dec. 11 for a report of a physical altercation.
According to court documents, the victim told police the incident began as a verbal argument regarding a dog escaping the residence. She reportedly told police that the argument turned physical when she attempted to leave the house through the front door.
Police allege Bonawitz forced the woman to the ground and pinned her down. The victim told investigators she was unable to move while he attempted to remove her cellphone from her coat pocket.
After Bonawitz allegedly took the phone, the woman was able to stand up and exit the residence. However, the affidavit states that Bonawitz followed her into the yard, where he allegedly forced her to the ground a second time.
A family member arrived at the residence during the alleged second assault. They reportedly told police he was dropping off a relative when he heard the woman yelling for Bonawitz to get off her.
The witness told troopers he observed Bonawitz holding the victim down and yelled at him to stop. The woman was then able to get off the ground and move away from the accused.
Police say Bonawitz denied that any physical altercation took place. Instead, he reportedly told police nothing happened other than a verbal argument about the dog escaping. He stated he was upset because the plumbing in the house had frozen and he wanted to fix it to take a shower.
Bonawitz was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker early Friday morning and charged with two counts of simple assault and two counts of harassment.
Kilker set bail at 10% of $15,000 and Bonawitz was remanded to Schuylkill County Prison.
A preliminary hearing before Judge Casimir Kosciolek (Tremont) is scheduled for Feb. 12.
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