Student Charged with Felony, Officer Taken to Hospital for Injuries Sustained During Chase

A Penn State student was arraigned on $10,000 unsecured bail on Tuesday on a felony charge of aggravated assault after a police officer injured his wrist chasing the man who had refused to leave The Saloon. 

Matthew Nemeth, 21, from New Jersey, was arrested early Tuesday morning and arraigned before District Judge Allen Sinclair on a felony charge of aggravated assault, misdemeanor simple assault and disorderly conduct and a summary charge for disorderly conduct and criminal mischief, according to court documents. 

State College Police were called to The Saloon, 101 Heister St., around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday regarding a report of disorderly patron. Police found Nemeth outside, where he had just tried to punch a Saloon employee in the face. Nemeth finally went outside after being asked to leave the bar several times. While inside, Nemeth had walked on top of chairs, pounded on tables and even punched a television. 

An officer chased Nemeth when he tried to run across the street and resist arrest. During the chase, the officer sustained an injury to his wrist. The officer was unable to move his wrist and reported sharp pain. He was taken to the emergency room at Mount Nittany Medical Center for X-rays and treatment, according to court documents.