Man Allegedly Pulls Knife On Terminix Employee In Apartment, Assaults Police Officers

CASTLE SHANNON (KDKA) -- Police say a Terminix worker was doing his job when, out of nowhere, the Castle Shannon homeowner attacked him.

Castle Shannon Police were sent to a home just after noon Wednesday for a call of an intoxicated man with a knife allegedly holding a Terminix employee against his will inside the apartment.

According to the criminal complaint, officers were dispatched to an apartment building on Hoodridge Drive. When they arrived, they located 73-year-old Alexandr Savchuk in the kitchen, blocking the door and not allowing the Terminix employee to leave his residence.

Police gave Savchuk several verbal warnings, but Savchuk allegedly did not comply. Officers then subdued him using physical force and placed him in handcuffs.

Police then interviewed the Terminix employee, who told them he was hired to spray for cockroaches in the apartment.

At some point, Savchuk allegedly became irate, cornered the employee and punched him in the arm. Also according to the employee, Savchuk grabbed a plate and frying pan and smashed them on ground before grabbing a knife and thrusting it toward him. The employee said Savchuk was yelling at him in broken English, and he called 911 in fear for his life.

Officers were unsure if Savchuk was intoxicated or having a medical episode, which led to him being transported to St. Clair Hospital, where it was determined through a Russian translator he was not injured and refusing treatment. He was then transported to the Castle Shannon Police Department, according to the criminal complaint.

While Savchuk was being transported to the Allegheny County Jail, he allegedly headbutted an officer in the chest and kicked an officer in the arm.

Savchuk is facing multiple charges, including two counts of assault on a police officer and recklessly endangering another person.