Two men involved in a fight outside a gas station refused to identify themselves to police, according to a criminal complaint.
At about 9 p.m. on Nov. 29, officers responded to the Valero gas station on Market Street on a report of two men at the gas pump “taking shots” at one another.
When officers arrived, they found Donald Miles, 54, of Scranton, at the pump filling two gas cans. Nearby they spotted Randy Austin, 47, who appeared unsteady on his feet.
According to the criminal complaint:
Officers speaking with Austin, of Moscow, noted he had blood on his hands and face. He showed signs of impairment, including slurred speech and smelled of alcohol.
Neither Austin nor Miles would provide identification to officers and said there had not been a fight.
As officers were speaking with Miles, they noted he blood on his shirt. When Miles asked officers what they were investigating, they pointed out that he had blood on his shirt and Austin had blood on his hand.
When detained by police, Miles provided his information. Austin, however, continued to resist.
As Officer Andrew Hudak was attempting to put him in handcuffs, he pulled away. Hudak was able to get his left hand in a handcuff, but was unable to get his right hand in the handcuff.
When other officers also directed Austin to stop resisting, he continued to pull away. Officers were then able to secure Austin’s hand behind his back and handcuff him.
Officers interviewed Jennifer Aregood who witnessed the fight. She said Austin was her boyfriend and she was friends with Miles for 20 years.
She said Austin had asked her to pick him up at Lucky’s bar. She picked both men up and the three went to the gas station to purchase gas because Miles ran out of gas.
When the two men began fighting, she went into the store and asked for help, she told police.
Both men are charged with simple assault and disorderly conduct. Austin is also charged with resisting arrest. Both men have preliminary hearings scheduled for Dec. 10 before District Judge Paul Keeler.