A 45-year-old Easton man is facing charges after police say he yanked a child’s arm and threatened to “rip it out of its socket,” leaving the child with a sprained elbow. The incident happened on the 4400 block of Richmond Road in Easton on March 9, according to authorities. An arrest warrant was issued on April 10, and the suspect was later taken into custody in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, where he is now awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania.
Police release describes incident and injuries
Forks Township police say officers were called around 7:45 p.m. after a complainant reported that the man had forcefully pulled the child’s arm and made the threat. The child was taken to a hospital, diagnosed with a sprained elbow and treated with a splint. Charges, including Endangering the Welfare of Children, Simple Assault and Harassment, were approved by the Northampton County District Attorney’s Office, as reported by Daily Voice Easton.
Arrest in New Jersey, extradition pending
An arrest warrant for Matthew Tanner Messa was issued on April 10. Phillipsburg Police in New Jersey later took him into custody, and authorities say he is now awaiting extradition back to Pennsylvania. A photo credited to the Forks Township Police Department accompanied the release…