Police: Hempfield man robbed woman of $1,900, kicked trooper in face

A Hempfield man was jailed Monday after state police said he robbed a woman and kicked a trooper in the face, according to court papers.

Andre James Sanders, 41, is charged with aggravated assault, robbery, theft, obstructing emergency services, public drunkenness and related offenses in connection with the Sunday morning incident.

As troopers responded to Stone Villa Court around 8 a.m., they saw the woman yelling for police at the Sunoco station on Route 130 at the Route 30 interchange. She told them Sanders repeatedly demanded money from her and, as she tried to leave her home, he attacked her and stole her cell phone and $1,900 from her wallet, according to court papers.

She drove about a half mile to the gas station to use their phone to call for help while Sanders was on foot, police said.

Troopers found him walking toward the gas station and he ignored their commands to stop, according to court papers. A short foot pursuit ensued and troopers took him to the ground. Police said Sanders yelled at bystanders, kicked a trooper in the face while trying to get away and refused medical treatment after asking for an ambulance.

Police found cash and a cell phone in his pocket. Sanders appeared to be under the influence of drugs, according to court papers.

Sanders is being held in the Westmoreland County Prison on $50,000 bail. He did not have an attorney listed in online court papers. A preliminary hearing is set for Dec. 1.

He previously served time in a state prison for a robbery in 2003, according to online court records. Sanders was sentenced to three to six years in connection with charges filed then by Greensburg police.