Arnold man accused of punching New Ken police officer in face

An Arnold man will stand trial on charges that he punched a police officer in the face earlier this month in New Kensington.

Chaz Anthony Hooper, 30, will head to Westmoreland County Court on charges of aggravated assault, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, defiant trespass and public drunkenness in connection to the July 13 incident. He waived all charges for court during a preliminary hearing on Thursday.

New Kensington police said they received a report that Hooper had assaulted a woman inside the Valley Royal Court county housing facility on Fifth Avenue. The woman told police Hooper choked her and threw her to the ground, according to the criminal complaint filed in the case.

At the time of the incident, Hooper had a no trespassing order from Valley Royal Court, the complaint said.

When police arrived, they found Hooper across the street along Fourth Avenue. Police say he was visibly drunk and yelled at officers when they tried to make contact with him.

Police said Hooper resisted when officers tried to arrest him. Officers managed to handcuff one of his arms. As they attempted to place him in a patrol vehicle, he began pulling away and throwing punches. In his attempt to break free, Hooper punched an officer in the face and right eye, police said. The complaint didn’t state the severity of the officer’s injuries.

Hooper remained in the Westmoreland County Prison on Friday, unable to post $10,000 bail.