A Pittsburgh man who sparked a three-hour standoff when he attacked two paramedics Saturday also threw a dresser and air conditioning unit at the SWAT officers charged with getting him out of his Windgap house, according to the charges against him.
Joseph Sadar, 51, called 911 about 3:45 p.m. Friday requesting medical help for his mother, according to the criminal complaint. Two city medics arrived at the home, but Sadar’s mother declined treatment, they said.
Police said Sadar attacked the paramedics as they left the home, punching one in the back of the head and the other in the face. The medics told police he shouted, “You’re not welcome here.”
One medic suffered a broken wrist and facial injuries, and both showed concussion-like symptoms, according to Public Safety spokeswoman Cara Cruz.
Cruz said that although there were no indications that Sadar was abusing his mother or had weapons in the house, authorities learned he had “documented aggression” toward law enforcement in the past. Thus, she said, SWAT officers responded to the scene.
More than two hours of sporadic negotiations failed to bring Sadar from the home, police said, noting in the complaint that at one point he shouted, “You’re going to beat me up like they did in Mt. Oliver.”
Court records show Sadar was arrested by Mt. Oliver police in 2017 for reckless endangerment and resisting arrest.
SWAT officers used a flash-bang grenade to distract Sadar and take him into custody about 6:30 p.m., at which point he allegedly threw a dresser and air conditioning unit and “fought, resisted arrest and ignored officers’ commands.”
Police said Sadar had to be Tased, and he was checked out at a hospital before he was taken to the Allegheny County Jail. He faces six counts of aggravated assault and one count of resisting arrest.
A small dog that bit one of the SWAT officers was taken from the home and handed over to animal control, police said. Sadar’s mother was taken to the hospital for further treatment.
