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Kulpmont man facing charges after alleged assault, standoff

MOUNT CARMEL, NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Police say the owner of a Northumberland County car dealership is facing several charges after a reported assault and standoff Thursday night.

Mount Carmel Police Chief Brian Hollenbach told 28/22 News that 58-year-old Kulpmont man, Albert Raybuck, owner of Automotive Toy Store along Route 61, is facing multiple charges relating to an assault and standoff with police at the business Thursday night.

Chief Hollenbach says, according to a criminal complaint filed by Mount Carmel Township Patrolman Jonathan Rush, police were called to the business at about 7:15 p.m.

When they arrived on the scene, police say they made contact with Melany Sands-Brosh, who came running out from the business, telling officers Raybuck attacked her by punching her in the head, pushing her against a wall, and grabbing her by the throat.

Sands-Brosh also told officers that Raybuck destroyed his office area of the establishment.

Officers were told by Sands-Brosh that the attack came after an argument between her and Raybuck.

Sands-Brosh also told authorities that Raybuck had guns in the business and a second-floor apartment above the establishment.

Police say Sands-Brosh claimed Raybuck threatened to shoot her if she called 911 as she ran out of the business.

Suspected stabbing under investigation

Chief Hollenbach told 28/22 News a record check performed by police on Raybuck found he owns at least six firearms.

The alleged victim of the assault said Raybuck had made previous statements about taking Officer Rush out, according to police.

Officer Rush told the victim to leave the area and shouted to Raybuck to come out of the building, but got no response, officials say.

According to Chief Hollenbach, Sands-Brosh returned to the area and told police she had just seen Raybuck in a second-story window on the east side of the structure.

Officer Rush requested additional police to help him at the scene, police explained.

Mount Carmel Township, Mount Carmel, Shamokin, and Coal Township crews arrived on scene by 8:40 p.m., according to Chief Hollenbach.

Multiple Pennsylvania State Police troopers arrived on the scene about 20 minutes later and used a megaphone to ask Raybuck to leave the building and walk toward the car wash, Chief Hollenbach told 28/22 News.

According to Chief Hollenbach, who helped in response to the incident, Raybuck surrendered peacefully to police after a stand-off lasting about 30 minutes and was taken into custody shortly after 9:45 p.m.

Raybuck was arraigned Friday morning by Magisterial District Judge William Cole and is facing multiple charges, including strangulation, simple assault, and other related charges.

Chief Hollenbach said Raybuck was committed to the Northumberland County Jail with cash bail set at $50,000.