Log In


Reset Password

More charges filed against Nesquehoning man

An elderly Nesquehoning man faces additional charges stemming from a Feb. 8 incident at a supermarket in the borough.

Police charged John Barna, 81, with stalking, harassment, simple assault, and retaliation against a witness or victim.According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Officer Timothy Wuttke, here's what happened:On Sunday, Feb. 9, Wuttke was to file a harassment complaint stemming from an incident the previous day at Redner's Warehouse Market. The incident involved Barna, and borough Police Chief Sean Smith, who was off-duty, and his wife, Sue.Wuttke learned that at about 5 p.m. Feb. 8, the Smiths were shopping when Sue Smith noticed Barna following them around the store, staring at them and mumbling under his breath. She alerted her husband, who told her to ignore him.Barna followed the couple to the checkout. He stood behind them, off to the side, to make them have to go around them as they left the store.Sue Smith noticed an odor of alcohol on Barna, and again mentioned it to her husband, who again told her to ignore him.Sue Smith said Barna appeared to become more agitated and continued to mumble something the couple was unable to understand.The couple asked for help finding an item, and store manager Wendy Reehl took them to the back of the store to get it. They left the rest of their groceries at the checkout. As they walked away with Reehl, they heard Barna ask the checkout clerk where they were going.Barna then followed them to the back of the store. Sue Smith told Wuttke she became worried.At the back of the store, Barna stood within inches of Sean Smith, pointing a finger in Smith's face and screaming at him that he was "going to get him" for what he had done, and that "they were all going to be sorry because they had no idea what they had started."Barna told Smith he knew where they lived, how to get them and would get them. Smith repeatedly told Barna to back off and get his finger out of his face. But Barna got closer and louder.Smith pushed Barna's finger away from his face, thinking Barna was going to poke him with it.Sue Smith got between the two, and told Barna to leave her husband alone and to take up the matter when he was on duty. Barna continued his tirade.The Smiths were taken to the store office, followed by Barna, who continued yelling at them. Police were called, and Barna went to the front of the store and waited on a bench.Smith told Wuttke he feared for his and his wife's safety in light of the unprovoked outburst. Smith said he was a witness to an incident in October 2013, and believed that was what Barna was upset about.As police escorted the Smiths out of the store, Barna came at them, screaming, and had to be restrained.Wuttke interviewed Barna on Feb. 9. Barna said he saw the Smiths in the store, and wanted to talk with Sean Smith about the incident in October. He waited for him at the checkout. When Smith ignored him and went to the back of the store, Barna followed him. He admitted to being upset when he spoke with Smith, but could not remember getting in Smith's face. Barna said he could not remember much about the incident and denied "going after the chief."Borough patrolman Steven Homanko on Feb. 8 filed charges of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness against Barna, stemming from his actions outside the market.