TAMAQUA - Tamaqua police arrested a part-time Girardville police officer and his girlfriend Saturday after a domestic incident.
Sgt. Richard Weaver charged Anthony C. Houser, 22, of 114 Patterson St., Tamaqua, with two misdemeanor counts of simple assault and a summary charge of harassment.
Houser was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, and released after posting 10 percent of $10,000 bail.
Houser's girlfriend, Alicia Whah, also of 114 Patterson St., Tamaqua, was charged with simple assault and harassment and released on $10,000 unsecured bail.
Weaver said the charges stem from a 3:49 a.m. incident at the house where officers were called for a domestic dispute that may involve a man with a gun.
At the scene, Weaver said officers were met in front of the home by Whah and Houser, who had blood all over his face.
Houser was told to place his hands on the railing of the home and frisked for weapons but no weapons were found, Weaver said.
Whah walked by Weaver yelling, "I want him out of here he choked me, I don't want him in the house," the sergeant said.
At the scene, Weaver said Houser told him that Whah had thrown an ash tray at him, struck him in the face and that the two were arguing, pushing and shoving.
Whah told officers Houser ripped the cord off of the telephone so she could not call the police, Weaver said.
The woman also said Houser was throwing things around and when she went to the upstairs of the home, the man followed her and that she felt something strike her in the back.
Weaver said Whah said she fell to the ground and that Houser dropped a silver and black gun in the hallway and also had a cigarette lighter in his hand.
Whah showed officers injuries she suffered during the dispute including redness and bruising to her left shoulder, left cheek and neck.
In Girardville, police Officer In Charge John Borchick said Houser has been taken off of the duty roster pending the outcome of the case.
In addition, Borchick said he will meet with the borough mayor and police commission who will decide Houser's fate with the department.