Published: October 07, 2008 09:28 pm      

Man jailed on charges he punched, tried to rob pizza employee

PORTAGE — A Portage man was jailed Monday on charges he punched a pizza man in the face and tried to steal his money bag.

State police said Thomas Andrew Smith, 21, was jailed in lieu of $50,000 bond in the attempted theft on Gillespie Avenue.

Smith approached Michael Oblinsky Jr., 18, of Portage and punched him before pushing him to the ground about 8 p.m. Monday.

Smith was accused of criminal attempted robbery, criminal attempted theft and simple assault.

In other police-related news:

• A Strongstown man was jailed Sunday after police said he became unruly at the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge in Nanty Glo Borough.

In a court document, borough police said they were responding to a disturbance in the Moose parking lot around 4 a.m. Sunday.

When police arrived they said they found an intoxicated Buddy J. Sorensen, 42, of Vic Miller Road, inside the business allegedly yelling obscenities and slamming items around.

Sorensen was arraigned by on-call District Judge Max Pavlovich of Richland Township and sent to Cambria County Prison on $2,500 bond.

• Prince Gallitzin State Park rangers got their man.

Park officials said Ronald S. Fetterman Jr., 43, of Ligoner, allegedly broke into vehicles at state parks in two counties, stole credit cards and then used the cards for purchases.

Authorities believe Fetterman smashed the front passenger window of a 2001 Dodge Durango at Prince Gallitzin on Sept. 14, making off with a purse containing identification, money, credit cards and a cell phone.

He is charged with forgery access device fraud, theft, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief.

Fetterman is being housed in a Westmoreland County jail on a parole violation.

Linn Run State Park rangers are investigating Fetterman for similar car break-ins in Westmoreland County.