Johnstown man accused of threatening to throw woman off bridge

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) — A Johnstown man is accused of threatening to stab and throw a woman off a bridge.

Merle Painter, 49, is in prison after police said a woman came to them saying that he threatened her, according to a criminal complaint. On July 16, officers from the Johnstown Police Department were driving by the Franklin Street Bridge and Vine Street when a woman flagged them down. The woman told officers that Painter had threatened to stab her and throw her off the bridge.

Officers saw Painter running and followed him. Once they caught up to him officers told Painter to stop and lay on his stomach with his hands behind his back. Police noted that Painter complied and had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath.

Officers then attempted to arrest Painter. Officers said he tried to pull away and resisted the arrest, according to the complaint.

In an interview with police, the woman told officers that she was walking when she felt that someone was “watching her” and she turned around to see Painter staring at her. She said that she told Painter to get away. She then said that he started to threaten her, specifically that he was going to “stab her and throw her over the bridge.” Police noted in the affidavit that Painter never pulled a knife on her, but just threatened her.

While attempting to search Painter, police said that he again resisted and ended up having to be secured on the ground, before they could continue. Police said they found a whiskey bottle that had 1/4 remaining and a silver multi-tool knife on him.

Painter is in Cambria County Prison with bail set at 10% of $20,000. He is facing felony charges of aggravated assault with an attempt to cause serious bodily injury and flight to avoid apprehension. He’s also facing several misdemeanor charges including resisting arrest and terroristic threats.

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He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 25.

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