Girlfriend called 911 after Altoona stabbing, both arrested: Police

ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — The girlfriend of a suspect allegedly called 911 with information about a stabbing, saying her boyfriend got home and was “all bloody,” police said.

Daysha LaPenna, 19, and Keith Young, 57, were placed in Blair County Prison after allegedly being involved in the Tuesday night stabbing of an Altoona man they were smoking marijuana with, court documents show.

Altoona police were called to UPMC before midnight on July 9, for a stabbing victim. After arriving, the victim told police that he was smoking with LaPenna and Young, the charges show. He claimed Young was getting angry because LaPenna was flirting with the victim. They then gave him a ride to the Juniata section of Altoona.

According to the victim’s account to police, they got to a residence and Young jumped out of the SUV and ran over as he was getting out of the passenger side and threw a punch at him. The victim said he kicked Young and knocked him to the ground, the complaint reads. From there, the victim said LaPenna got out of the SUV and pepper sprayed him as Young got back up and stabbed him in the stomach. They then took off in a white Audi SUV.

While police were speaking with the victim at UPMC, LaPenna allegedly called 911 and claimed to have information about a stabbing in Altoona. According to the affidavit, LaPenna told 911 that her boyfriend, Young, had just gotten home and was “all bloody.” Police said the call was then disconnected.

Police attempted all night and into the next morning to call LaPenna back on the number that called 911 but got no response. At around 5 a.m. Wednesday, July 10, police noticed Young’s white SUV parked next to his house on the 1500 block of 1st Avenue. Charges show that they knocked on the front door and noticed Young look out of a window, but he refused to come out.

This prompted a standoff with police where Young finally surrendered around 7 a.m., the complaint reads. Once he was in custody, they found LaPenna in the house. Police said a bottle of pepper spray was found on LaPenna during a pat down.

According to the affidavit, LaPenna and Young had conflicting stories about what happened. LaPenna denied calling 911 and allegedly told police she pepper sprayed the victim because he was trying to rape her. Police said she later changed her story to say he paid Young so he could take her on a date. However, she refused to get out of the car, causing an argument between the victim and Young.

Young, on the other hand, claimed that the heated exchange was caused by the victim wanting the $40 back that he gave Young for the ride.

While the two were being processed, Altoona police received a search warrant for Young’s home. According to a second criminal complaint, police found the following:

• Four bags (67 grams total) of cocaine
• Paraphernalia including baggies, digital scales and spoons with residue
• Smoking pipe, glass
• Four plastic tubes with residue
• Another spoon with residue and loose powder on the kitchen counter

When police spoke with the duo again, Young denied having drugs in the residence and said he knew he was wanted when police showed up that morning.

LaPenna, again, claimed she was sold to the victim for $100. According to the second criminal complaint, she told police Young also sold the victim a bag of cocaine. LaPenna said she refused to go into the victim’s house, he demanded his money back and Young demanded his cocaine back. A fight then took place.

Young was charged with two counts of felony aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct. He was later charged with felony possession with intent, conspiracy possession, possession of an instrument of crime, possession of a controlled substance, use of paraphernalia and obstructing justice.

LaPenna was charged with possession of an instrument of crime, simple assault and disorderly conduct. She was also later charged with the same drug offenses as Young.

Both are now in Blair County Prison. Bail for Young was set at $115,000 total while LaPenna’s is set at $40,000 total.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.