SALISBURY TOWNSHIP, PA – A Salisbury Township man accused of randomly assaulting a woman with a Taser in her home has waived his preliminary hearing, allowing the case to proceed to county court.
Benjamin Andrew Brinker, 34, of the 700 block of Azalea Lane, waived the hearing before Judge Raymond Sheller on September 3. He faces felony charges including burglary, aggravated assault, and use of an incapacitation device.
According to police, Brinker approached a residence in the 200 block of South Belmont Road in Paradise Township on August 19 and forced his way through a partially open door while brandishing a Taser. He allegedly fired the weapon at the woman inside, striking her near the heart and causing her to fall. While on the ground, she was punched in the face before Brinker fled the scene on foot.
The victim did not know Brinker. Her husband reported seeing the suspect fleeing northbound on South Belmont Road around 4 p.m.
Investigators used serial numbers on a cartridge cover left at the scene to trace the Taser to Brinker. The manufacturer also confirmed he had purchased additional cartridges just three days prior to the incident. Surveillance footage showed Brinker walking away from his vehicle approximately 1,250 feet from the victim’s home minutes before the attack.
Brinker remains held at Lancaster County Prison on $1.5 million bail. Charges were filed by Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Nicholas Reginella.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Source: CRIMEWATCH®
