Duryea man charged with assaulting, threatening mother
Feb. 25—An intoxicated Duryea man pulled a knife on his own mother and punched her in the head because she called the police on him during a domestic dispute, police said.
Alan J. Celusniak, 38, was arrested after the dispute at the family home in the 100 block of Hillcrest Drive on Monday evening.
Police said Celusniak was intoxicated and his elderly mother first called to report having trouble with him around 5:40 p.m.
After officers cleared the scene, Celusniak pulled out a pocket knife and held it up to his mother, threatening to kill her if she ever called the police on him again, police said.
Celusniak also punched his mother in the head during the assault and took her phone so that she would not be able to call the police, officers said.
Celusniak's mother was able to get out by saying she needed to take the dog outside. Once outside, Celusniak's mother put the dog in the car and drove to police headquarters, reporting the incident around 7 p.m., police said.
Officers then returned to the home and arrested Celusniak without incident.
Police charged Celusniak with making terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment.
Magisterial District Judge David A. Barilla arraigned him Monday night and set bail at $5,000.
Celusniak was being held at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility with a preliminary hearing set for March 9.
Contact the writer: jhalpin@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2058
