Police chief advises residents to lock doors

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A man working as a part-time police officer in two communities has been suspended without pay pending the outcome of charges filed against him by the Pennsylvania State Police.
James Chaffee, 35, of Edinburg, Pa., was arrested Friday after a 25-year-old woman and her 6-year-old daughter reported he had threatened them. Chaffee faces charges of terroristic threats and simple assault.
According to a court document, the woman was visiting a friend Friday afternoon when Chaffee, who was off duty, threatened to "unload a rifle" into her mouth. The court document said Chaffee also threatened to go after other members of her family.
Chaffee, who knows the woman, was arraigned before District Justice Melissa Amodie and released on $10,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for 9:30 a.m. Monday before District Justice James Reed.
Chaffee works part time for the Bessemer Borough and North Beaver Township police departments.