Published: May 26, 2009 11:47 pm      

Westmont man is accused of pointing handgun at wife

A Westmont Borough man was jailed after he allegedly pointed a loaded handgun at his estranged wife.

In a court document, West Hills Regional police and Upper Yoder Township police said they were called to a domestic dispute in the 1400 block of Juniper Street in Westmont.

A woman said she was attempting Sunday night to retrieve her belongings from the residence she shared with her estranged husband, police said.

Township Officer Michael J. Beblar was first on the scene – telling the woman and her parents the procedure for obtaining her personal items – when her husband, Matthew Justin Bonchi, pulled up in a Honda Civic.

Police said Bonchi climbed out of the car with a handgun.

Bonchi, “did then rack and slide back the semi-automatic pistol, where a live round was chambered,” police said.

Bonchi raised the loaded firearm and began walking toward the woman and her parents while holding a flashlight in his other hand.

Beblar drew his sidearm and told Bonchi to drop his weapon. Bonchi placed the gun “in the small of his back in the waistband of his shorts.”

No shots were fired.

Police charged Bonchi with three counts each of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and terroristic threats. He was arraigned by on-call District Judge Michael Musulin of Johnstown and sent to Cambria County Prison after failing to post $50,000 bond.

Police did not say what caused the dispute. They believe Bonchi is a member of the military who has served in Iraq.