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From Staff Reports
LEWISTOWN -- A McVeytown man was jailed after police said he attacked a friend, strangled him and used an ax to try to open his locked door.
Brian. K. Esh Jr., 37, was arraigned Saturday before Magisterial District Judge Jack Miller on charges of burglary, aggravated assault, strangulation, resisting arrest and related offenses.
According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause, police were called to a residence on Walnut Street Extended, Derry Township, at about 4:30 a.m.
According to the report, Esh had been invited to the residence earlier in the day, but did not show up until several hours later and walked in the home without notice.
Police said the Esh asked the victim to go to the garage with him and that he did not appear to be himself "and was possibly under the influence of something."
The report states that Esh and the victim went to the garage until he asked the victim if he heard noises. At that point, the two went back into the house.
The report says Esh then approached the victim from behind and grabbed him by the throat area and threw him on the ground.
The report states that Esh had the victim pinned to the ground with his hands around his throat, cutting off his airway.
The victim said he was eventually able to free himself and run back inside and lock the doors.
At that point, police said Esh picked up an ax in the garage and began hitting the locked door with it and began yelling "I'm gonna kill you," multiple times.
While on scene, police reported hearing "animal-like grunting sounds coming from a wooded area behind the residence" and a male voice saying "run."
After attempts to take Esh under arrest, police deployed a taser two times before taking him into custody.
Esh was taken to Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital for medical clearance.
Esh was held in Mifflin County Correctional Facility, unable to post $50,000 bail.
A preliminary hearing is set for 9 a.m. Nov. 15 before Miller.