OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) – A man who allegedly entered a woman’s house while she was sleeping in Oil City was taken into custody following a short foot pursuit on Wednesday.
Court documents indicate the Oil City Police Department filed criminal charges against 40-year-old Rashaad Jamar Ponder, of Pittsburgh.
According to a criminal complaint, around 12:18 p.m. on April 27, Oil City Police responded to the area Glenview Avenue in Oil City for a report of an unwanted individual. While they were en route, the officers were advised the individual had fled the residence on foot.
At the scene, police spoke to the victim, who reported that Rashaad Ponder had entered her residence without permission, and she fled the residence and called 9-1-1.
During a later interview, the victim told police Ponder entered her residence while she was sleeping and began running water as if he was going to take a bath or shower. She reported he was mumbling under his breath that people were going to “pay” and she perceived his behavior as threatening. She also noted she believed he was under the influence based on his irrational behavior.
The victim reported that she then fled the residence to her vehicle so she could contact 9-1-1. She told police that while she was in her vehicle, Ponder fled the area on foot, leaving his shoes in her residence.
According to a second complaint, around 3:25 p.m. on April 28, Oil City Police were made aware that Rashaad Ponder was traveling on foot in the area of Plummer Street and Merritt Street in Oil City and then attempted to make contact with Ponder.
The complaint notes police were aware Ponder had multiple warrants for his arrest, including one from the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole “Fast Unit” from Allegheny County, as well as a warrant out of Venango County, filed the previous day.
According to the complaint, when police attempted to make contact with Ponder, he fled on foot down over a wooded embankment.
Police then gave chase and were subsequently able to take Ponder into custody without further incident.
The following charge was filed against Ponder through Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish’s office on April 27:
– Criminal Trespass-Enter Structure, Felony 3
Ponder was then arraigned in front of Judge Fish on the above charge and the following charge at 5:10 p.m. on April 28:
– Flight To Avoid Appreh/Trial/Punishment, Felony 3
He was lodged in the Venango County Jail on $5,000.00 monetary bail on the initial case and $4,000.00 monetary bail on the second case.
Preliminary hearings for both cases are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on May 5 with Judge Fish presiding.
