News

October 28, 2009

Scranton man headbutts door, falls to floor at arraignment

By Ed Lewis elewis@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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PLAINS TWP. - Laflin police initially believed a Scranton man was armed when he allegedly torched a Ford van in front of a car dealership on Tuesday.

Laflin Police Chief Joseph Flanagan claimed he heard gunshots as he pulled into Coccia Ford Lincoln Mercury during his pursuit of the van driven by John Walton.

Walton had taken a Coccia employee on an inspection drive after Walton complained that the van was having transmission problems. When the employee told Walton he didn't detect a problem, police allege Walton threatened the employee.

Walton kicked the employee out of the van, and returned to the Coccia dealership where he allegedly set the van on fire.

Flanagan pursued Walton to the dealership on East Main Street where he was led to believe Walton was armed with a 9mm handgun. Flanagan claimed he heard several gun shots in which it was ammunition inside the burning van that ignited, police said.

Walton was charged by Plains Township police on Wednesday with four counts of arson. He was charged by Laflin police with terroristic threats, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct and reckless driving.

He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $75,000 straight bail.

At his arraignment Wednesday morning, Walton walked into the courtroom at the office of District Judge Diana Malast. After the arraignment, Walton headbutted a door and fell to the floor, and had to be carried out.

Walton refused to get out of the cruiser for his arraignment Tuesday afternoon on the charges filed by Laflin police. Malast arraigned Walton inside the Plains Township Volunteer Ambulance garage.

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