Front Page - Print Edition
(in PDF format)

Police Search for Assault Suspect

From staff reports

A Fort Blackmore man who was arrested earlier this year on several different charges has eluded police after he stormed out of the Scott County Circuit Courtroom when a judge decided to revoke his bond.

Paul Edward Petrusak, 49, Route 1, Box 1600 , Fort Blackmore, left the courtroom shortly after 9:40 a.m. on Wednesday morning (Sept. 27) after the judge had revoked his bond stemming from charges levied against him in July.

Petrusak was arrested July 30 and charged with 2 counts of assault, assault and battery, the unauthorized use of a vehicle and threatening to burn. He has been free on bond and was making a court appearance in conjunction with the charges.

Petrusak was spotted by employees at the Scott County Public Library as he rushed past the library heading South on Library Street in the direction of Water Street . Law enforcement officials from the Virginia State Police, Gate City Police Department, Scott County Sheriff’s Office and Virginia Game Wardens have been searching the area between the former Gate City Planning Mill and Grogan Park.

A state police helicopter was circling around the Gate City area, attempting to spot Petrusak from the air.

According to law enforcement officials, Petrusak is armed with a hunting knife and is considered dangerous. He is 5-foot-10 and weighs approximately 165 pounds. He has brown eyes, black hair and is wearing jeans and a dark colored shirt with white lettering on the back.

Anyone with information about Petrusak is urged to contact Central Dispatch at 386-9111 or the Scott County Sheriff’s Office at 386-3722.