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Man Arrested For Spitting On Police Officer

Authorities with the Tyrone Borough Police Department say a New York man is behind bars after he was accused of spitting on police and the staff of multiple area hospitals during a drunken outburst over the weekend.

Police say officers were initially dispatched to Penn Highlands Tyrone Sunday evening for a report of a disturbance.

Authorities say the suspect, 41-year-old Joshua Eckman, of Utica, New York, was allegedly making crude comments to the hospital staff while sitting in the waiting room.

According to the affidavit, police noted that Eckman had been given a courtesy ride to the hospital, earlier in the day, after he admitted to being intoxicated.

Police say Eckman was escorted from the hospital and placed in the back of the patrol car, where he continued his “drunken outburst.”

Authorities say when the officers attempted to place Eckman in handcuffs, he began to resist and spit on them.

Police say Eckman continued to spit on officers and even threatened to “locate and assault” one of them once he was released.

Authorities say at this time, officers contacted EMS after Eckman began complaining of chest pain and he was transported to UPMC Altoona.

Police noted that Eckman continued to resist assistance and had reportedly spit on hospital staff at UPMC.

According to online court records, Eckman was arraigned Monday on charges of assaulting a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

He is being held at the Blair County Prison on $30,000 bail.

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