Police arrest Delaware County man for returning to North Apollo home from which he was banned after assault

A Delaware County man previously charged with domestic assault was arrested Tuesday after he was found hiding inside a North Apollo home where the assault occurred, according to police.

Police said Devante Grant, 21, of Lansdowne isn’t allowed in the Allison Avenue home because he previously assaulted a woman who lives there. He was awaiting trial in the alleged incident from last summer.

“There is an order in place from the court prohibiting him from being there,” Sgt. Thomas Dessell said.

Grant remained in the Armstrong County Jail on Tuesday afternoon after failing to post $75,000 bond. Online court records do not list an attorney for him.

Dessell said he went to the home shortly after 9:45 a.m. to serve subpoenas in connection to last summer’s assault.

When a woman opened the door, Dessell detected an odor of marijuana from inside and saw marijuana-smelling smoke filling the living room area, which also contained a baby in a bassinet, according to a criminal complaint.

When questioned about the smell, the woman told Dessell that Grant was inside, and that he had been smoking marijuana in front of three young children who were inside the home, including an 8-month-old girl, the complaint said.

The woman told Dessell that Grant was hiding in the basement and gave police permission to search the home. He fled out a basement window when officers went inside to look for him, the complaint said.

Dessell later spotted Grant walking on River Road, but Grant ran when Dessell tried to arrest him. He ended up evading Dessell and got away for a time, according to the complaint.

But Grant was arrested during a subsequent search of the area by police from Vandergrift, Parks Township, Gilpin and a Armstrong County sheriff and their police dog.

Dessell said a man who lives in the area saw what was going on and offered police the use of his drone.

It was the first time the department used a drone to assist in a search, Dessell said. But it was the police dog that ultimately found Grant.

“The K-9 was more helpful,” Dessell said. “(Grant) was hiding in the bushes. You couldn’t see him, but the dog detected him.”

Grant faces charges of child endangerment, fleeing to avoid apprehension, resisting arrest, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct and drug possession, according to court records.

A preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 12 before District Judge James Andring in Leechburg.