Police: Man used spiked mace in attack

An Emmaus man faces assault charges after he allegedly attacked an acquaintance with a spiked mace, according to authorities.

James Gleason Jr., 38, is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with extreme indifference, terroristic threats, simple assault, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and several vehicle-related offenses.

He was arraigned Tuesday before District Judge Michael Pochron and is free after posting $50,000 bail.

According to court records: Police were called at 8:24 a.m. for a disturbance outside of the Superior Restaurant, 102 E. Main St. in Emmaus. Authorities found Gleason standing in the parking lot after witnesses reported him using a weapon to bang on a car in the lot.

Gleason’s wife told police that he became upset because the man in the other vehicle threatened to sexually assault her.

Police spoke with the man, who said he made a comment Tuesday morning to Gleason, saying that Gleason’s wife was special and he was waiting for someone like this in his life. He said Gleason took the comment out of context and believed the man wanted to harm Gleason’s wife.

Gleason pulled up next to the man’s vehicle later in the morning while they were stopped at a traffic light near the Superior Restaurant. Gleason got out of his car and yelled at the man, swinging a metal spiked mace at the car.

The man said he was worried he and his 10-year-old son, who was in the back seat, would be hurt. Gleason shattered the front and back windows of the man’s car. When traffic began to move, Gleason positioned his car to block the man from driving away and hit his car with the weapon several more times.

The man said he was hit with the weapon several times. He believed that Gleason was capable of killing him and his son.

Authorities said the damage to the vehicle was estimated to be about $1,500.

— Sarah M. Wojcik