Angry husband arrested on assault charge

By Wayne Laepple
The Daily Item

June 25, 2009 06:05 am

— WATSONTOWN — A Brimmer Avenue man riding his lawn mower Sunday afternoon got a surprise when another man in a pickup truck chased him through his yard.
According to Watsontown police, Alec Persun, of 329 E. Brimmer Ave., was mowing his yard at about 4:35 p.m. Sunday, and when he emerged from behind a clump of trees, he noticed a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado pickup in his driveway. Michael Anthony Sheets, 34, of 2222 Route 44, Allenwood, accelerated the truck toward Persun, crossing about 100 yards of lawn, spinning the tires in the muddy yard and skidding to a stop about four feet from Persun, who was attempting to flee on the riding mower.
Sheets jumped out of the truck and shouted at Persun, “Do you know who I am?”
Authorities have since revealed that Persun was dating Sheets' estranged wife.
Sheets allegedly assaulted Persun, police said, striking him on the neck and the side of his body and knocking him off the mower while cursing at him.
When Persun attempted to rise, Sheets assaulted him again, hitting him with his fists and legs until he fell to the ground again. Sheets got into his truck and began to leave the area, but then stopped and returned to Persun and threatened him, telling him “You are dead” before leaving the scene, according to court documents.
Police obtained an arrest warrant and arrested Sheets on Monday.
He was arraigned before District Judge William F. Kear in Milton, charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats, simple assault, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief and trespass by motor vehicle. Sheets was released on his own recognizance.