An Orchard Island man was placed under arrest for felonious assault Thursday evening after he allegedly threatened his girlfriend with a knife and also struck another individual with his vehicle while he was trying to leave the scene, deputies of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office report.
John Henry Steffey, 51, of 8968 Park St., Orchard Island, Lakeview, was lodged in the Logan County Jail after he was located by officers of the Russells Point Police Department a short time later during a traffic stop in the area of Fox Run on Orchard Island
His girlfriend reported she had sustained minor injuries to her leg when Steffey pushed her to the ground during in the incident that took place at 8989 Crescent St., Orchard Island, Lakeview.
The individual who was struck by Steffey’s vehicle, Chad M. Minnich, 40, of Belle Center, declined medical treatment, deputies said.
Deputies were dispatched to the residence about 9:10 p.m. to the incident that was first reported as a stabbing.
Upon arrival, multiple witnesses described to deputies that Steffey allegedly had pulled his girlfriend out of her vehicle and was threatening her with a knife. Witnesses heard his girlfriend yell, “He has a knife,” and then several bystanders ran up to try to help the woman. As a result, the defendant threw the knife toward his girlfriend’s van and backed away.
He then reportedly entered his pickup and backed up his vehicle several times toward the individuals who were helping to intervene at the scene. When the defendant drove away, his vehicle reportedly struck Minnich.
His girlfriend told deputies that just before he pulled the knife on her, he had been driving in his pickup and “chased her down” to the stop sign while she was driving her van. She said her daughter was in the van, and she was fearful that he would leave with her daughter in the vehicle.
While on the scene, deputies recovered the pocket knife that allegedly was used by Steffey and also observed tire tracks where his vehicle drove through the grass.
The defendant was placed under arrest without further incident.