Vandergrift police file felony charge after gun seen during investigation over loud music

Vandergrift police say a man who got into an argument with officers over loud music was charged with a felony for having a loaded pistol in his pocket when he tried to stop police from arresting his girlfriend during the incident.

Wenndolph K. Vilmenay, 26, of the 1700 block of Ridge Avenue in Arnold was charged with a felony count of carrying a firearm without a license along with counts of simple assault and obstruction of justice.

He was released from custody on a $25,000 unsecured bond and faces a preliminary hearing Jan. 10 before District Judge Cheryl Peck Yakopec.

Officers responding to a 911 hang-up call shortly before 1 p.m. Sunday at a home in the 500 block of Franklin Avenue said several people were in the house but all denied placing the emergency call, according to a criminal complaint.

The residents were asked to turn down the loud music, and the officers returned to their vehicles, the complaint said. But an officer who did a follow-up check to make sure they complied said the music was just as loud.

Police said Vilmenay became angry that police returned to the house about the music and began arguing with them.

A woman identified as Vilmenay’s girlfriend, Madison Baechel, 20, of New Kensington, accused police of harassing the people in the house, the complaint said.

The dispute escalated after a neighbor came out onto his front porch to wish officers a Merry Christmas, police said.

One of the officers asked the man if he could hear the music from his house across the street to which he said he could, police said.

Vilmenay began arguing with the neighbor and Baechel joined in and started running toward the man, the complaint said.

Vilmenay was taken into custody after struggling with the officers who tried to stop his girlfriend from assaulting the neighbor, the complaint said.

Baechel was charged with misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Vilmenay’s father, Mario Vilmenay, also had to be restrained by police after he grabbed a pistol out of his son’s sweatshirt pocket as his son was being handcuffed by officers.

Officers said they confiscated a loaded Taurus 9 mm pistol from Mario Vilmenay, who was issued a citation for disorderly conduct.

Police said the gun was legally registered to Wenndolph Vilmenay, but he does not have a permit to carry the weapon in a concealed manner.