An intoxicated Forty Fort man tried to light his credit card on fire, believing it was a cigarette, as he awaited emergency medical personnel Tuesday, according to a criminal complaint.
Brian Tonart, 51, of 65 Milton Terrace, went on to scratch a Taylor police officer, police said. He is charged with aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, public drunkenness and harassment.
According to the criminal complaint:
At about 6 p.m. on June 17, police were called to Kerstetter Court for the report of a man lying on the ground near a garage.
Officer Nicholas Snyder woke up the man, later identified as Tonart, who appeared heavily intoxicated, with slurred speech and glossy eyes.
Tonart admitted to drinking alcohol but said he hadn’t used any other substances.
Police officers called emergency medical services to the scene to evaluate him.
When Tonart stood up, he was unsteady on his feet and attempted to leave before EMS arrived.
Police noted Tonart could not provide his last name or address.
When asked what had happened, he could only remember he had been “drinking by the river earlier.”
Officers found a credit card, cigarettes and a lighter in Tonart’s pocket.
It was then that Tonart, intent on having a cigarette, attempted to light his credit card instead, and officers took the lighter from him.
Tonart then tried to leave the scene again, nearly falling.
When Officer Jacob Palonis tried to assist Tonart, Tonart grabbed his forearm and scratched him.
Tonart remains at Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $5,000 bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on July 1 before District Judge Sean Gallagher.