No witness means withdrawal of charges in alleged Linesville fighting case

LINESVILLE — Charges have been withdrawn against a Linesville man accused by Pennsylvania State Police of allegedly throwing a bucketful of water on someone sleeping in a tent and then running over the tent with a large tractor.

A witness failing to appear for Monday’s preliminary hearing in Linesville scheduled before Magisterial District Judge Adam Stallard caused state police to withdraw charges filed against Arthur W. Cervi Jr.

Charges were withdrawn without prejudice, meaning they could be refiled by police at a later date.

Last month, Cervi, 69, of Maples Road, was charged by state police with a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct engage in fighting and a summary count of harassment.

Charges were filed in connection with an alleged Sept. 24 property dispute in Conneaut Township between Cervi and another man, according to the criminal complaint filed by police.

A witness told police that Cervi got into an argument with the man, according to the arrest affidavit. The witness saw Cervi retrieve a bucket of water, cross the road and throw the bucket of water on the man who was sleeping in a tent on the property.

The affidavit said Cervi then returned, got on a large tractor, crossed the road and ran over the tent the man previously was sleeping in. The affidavit said Cervi and the man then continued the argument until Cervi left the scene. The witness was able to provide video footage of the incident, according to the affidavit.

In an interview with police, the man said he had been staying on a piece of property adjacent to the raceway for approximately 18 weeks. The affidavit said the man told police that Cervi was upset the man was working with the new owners of the raceway. The man said he wasn’t injured in the incident.

Cervi told authorities that he was having an issue with people staying on his property without permission. He told police that he attempted to evict all of the individuals but was unsuccessful.