Barbershop Owner To File Complaint Against Constable For Taking Down Customer
WASHINGTON, Pa. (KDKA) -- A Washington County barber says he will be at the County Courthouse Wednesday morning to file a formal complaint against State Constable James Cox.
Donald Knupp, who operates a barbershop on West Chestnut Street, says Cox came into his shop Tuesday afternoon with no badge and arrested a 28-year-old man who was in the shop with his 5-year-old daughter.
Knupp says the constable did not identify himself and wore nothing to indicate he was a law enforcement officer.
Instead, Knupp says Cox approached James Gaito with his Taser drawn and ordered him to the floor before handcuffing him and taking him outside to a waiting car.
Gaito was charged with violating of his probation.
Knupp told KDKA-TV's Ralph Iannotti, "Cox never said his name, never said nothing, didn't even tell the guy to freeze."
Knupp complained that the constable just did whatever he wanted to do.
"He had no respect for my barbershop, or anybody inside," Knupp said.
Alisha McKnight, the 5-year-old child's mom, said her daughter was "crying and screaming" when she saw her father forced to the floor and handcuffed.
KDKA tried reaching Cox for reaction Tuesday night, but we had no luck.
Gaito was not tasered when he was taken into custody. He's now being held in the Washington County Jail.
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