Troopers arrest father, son at Hempfield home after being called to break up fight

A father and son were arrested early Wednesday at their Hempfield residence on assault charges after state troopers were called there to break up a fight.

The father, John M. Schein, 64, also is charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest and related criminal charges after he became physical with a trooper as he was taken into custody shortly before 3 a.m. at the Lexington Drive home.

The elder Schein was taken to AHN Forbes Hospital in Monroeville by ambulance for medical treatment and Trooper Nathan Elwood suffered a bruise to his head when both men fell to the road outside during a struggle, according to court documents.

According to police reports, the altercation began when the elder Schein asked his son, John W. Schein, 37, to stop smoking inside the house and the younger Schein became angry. Troopers reported both men were drunk.

When troopers arrived, they were told by the elder Schein that his son came up the stairs “in an aggressive manner” and he kicked his son in the chest causing him to fall down the stairs into the basement.

The younger Schein came back up the steps and punched his father in the head, police said.

The younger Schein told troopers that he “was defending himself.”

Both Scheins had apparent injuries about their face, neck and shoulders as a result of the altercation, police said.

Cpl. Zachary Ochap reported that when the elder Schein was told he was being taken into custody he began physically resisting arrest and telling Ellwood he was “not going to jail.”

As Ellwood attempted to gain control of Schein during the struggle, both men fell to the ground striking their heads on the asphalt.

The son is charged with harassment and simple assault. He was ordered held in the county jail on $25,000 bond.

John M. Schein is charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, disorderly conduct, harassment, public drunkenness. Authorities reported he will be arraigned when he is released from the hospital.