Cops: Sewickley Township man strips naked after domestic, standoff with officers

A Sewickley Township man is being held without bail after state police said he stripped naked on his porch Saturday after threatening and attacking family members, according to court papers.

Joseph Patrick Gracan, 53, is facing numerous charges including strangulation, aggravated assault and terroristic threats.

Police were called to Lowber Road at 6 p.m. for a report of a domestic disturbance. Gracan is accused of pointing a gun at family members and choking one of them, according to court papers.

Three family members locked themselves in a bedroom while Gracan allegedly stood in front of the door, refusing to let them leave. Troopers attempted to free the trio from the room, but weren’t able to because the window was too small, according to court papers.

Troopers said they tried for about 10 minutes to get Gracan to exit the home, but he refused. Once he did, police said he was highly intoxicated and stripped naked on a porch, according to court papers.

Police found two pistols sitting on the kitchen table. Gracan did not have an attorney listed in online court records. He is being held in the Westmoreland County Prison. An Aug. 3 preliminary hearing is set.