A Schuylkill County man is facing charges after he allegedly threatened a woman with a hammer and threw her phone out a window.
Police in Shenandoah say they were approached by a woman just before midnight on May 30 who was visibly upset and crying. She told police that she had just come from a home on N. Main St. and that James Serrano, 35, threatened her with a hammer and stole her phone.
The woman reportedly told police that Serrano had invited her over to his residence but while there, she said she didn’t feel safe. That’s when she started recording a video with her phone, saying it was for her own safety.
Serrano allegedly became hostile with the woman when he realized that she was recording this video, took her phone, and threw it somewhere in his apartment. He then allegedly picked up a hammer and threatened to hurt her with it and prevented her from leaving.
A roommate came home at that time and calmed Serrano down, allowing the woman to leave the apartment. Serrano still refused to give the phone back to the woman before she left, she said.
Police say they spoke with Serrano who allegedly did admit to throwing the woman’s phone, saying it went out a window. He allegedly offered to pay for or replace the phone. The woman, police say, still wanted to move forward with charges against Serrano.
Serrano is now facing misdemeanor charges of making terroristic threats and simple assault as well as a summary offense for criminal mischief. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thurday before Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker.
Schuylkill County Crisis & Support Resources
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence, free, confidential, and inclusive help is available 24/7 in Schuylkill County.
- Schuylkill Hope Center (Domestic Violence): Call the 24/7 hotline at (570) 622-6220, text HOPELINE to 20121, or visit schopecenter.org. Services include emergency shelter, housing assistance, counseling, and legal representation.
- SARCC (Sexual Assault): Call the 24/7 hotline at (570) 628-2965 or visit sarccheals.org for counseling, advocacy, and healing support for survivors of sexual violence.
- Outside Schuylkill County: Residents across Pennsylvania can find their local domestic violence program at pcadv.org. You can also visit domesticshelters.org to find resources near you.
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