Man faces assault charge

SHARON, Pa. -- City police arrested a Brookfield man on an assault charge and also charged a city woman with trying to sell drugs to an undercover agent in separate cases.
Police said John E. Fritch, 21, of Wildwood Drive, assaulted a 21-year-old city woman in the 600 block of Thornton Avenue. Police were called to the scene about 1 p.m. Monday by a witness who thought Fritch was kidnapping a woman at knifepoint. It turned out to be a domestic dispute with the woman accusing Fritch of holding a knife to her temple and threatening to stab her. Fritch fled the scene in his car, but his vehicle was stopped a short time later at Wayne Place and the Shenango Valley Freeway.
He was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, making terroristic threats and recklessly endangering another person. He was arraigned before District Justice Henry Russo, who ordered him held in Mercer County Jail on $5,000 bond.
Drug charge
Police charged Brenda L. Thorpe, 45, of First Avenue, with selling crack cocaine to an undercover agent twice during November 2003. Thorpe was picked up by Southwest Mercer County Regional Police around 5 p.m. Monday on a warrant issued by Sharon police charging her with possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and unlawful use of a communication facility.
Police said she used a cell phone to arrange the drug sales, which is a felony. Thorpe was held overnight for arraignment later today.