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A Gibsonia woman told police her husband threatened to burn down their home with the two of them still inside Saturday.
Adams Township Police filed charges Sunday against Eli M. Zatezalo, including felony risking catastrophe as well as misdemeanors of simple assault, false imprisonment and DUI.
District Judge Wayne Seibel arraigned Zatezalo on those charges Sunday morning. Zatezalo was then placed in Butler County Prison in lieu of $30,000 bond.
While Adams Township led the investigation, multiple other departments were dispatched around 7:21 p.m. Saturday to the couple's home on the 1000 block of Amy Place in Middlesex Township, and Northern Regional police departments responded along with state police to assist.
“Butler County 911 reported that the caller (later identified as the wife) was in her vehicle with her husband on the vehicle yelling,” said the investigating officer in charging documents.
Police said when they arrived at the home, they cleared the scene, and neither the husband nor the wife were home. Police smelled a “strong odor” of gasoline throughout the home and observed a 5-gallon gas can on a table.
The investigating officer established a timeline of events within the affidavit based on the investigation. The incident started with a verbal argument earlier Saturday night.
Police said after the spouses argued, they agreed to sleep in different levels of the home, with Zatezalo downstairs and his wife upstairs.
“While upstairs, (the wife) could hear the sound of something being poured onto the floor and as she walked to the top of the stairs and balcony area, she witnessed (Eli) Zatezalo pouring gasoline inside the residence,” police said. “(He) threatened (his wife) that if she did not come downstairs, he would light it on fire.”
Police said after descending the stairs, the wife tried to leave immediately by running out the front door, and she tried to call 911. Police said Zatezalo chased his wife on foot and “physically” brought her back to the home.
“While inside the residence, Zatezalo advised (his wife) that, 'We are doing this; we are doing this together,'” police said.
Police said Zatezalo convinced his wife to call 911 back and tell them the call was accidental, and the wife complied.
Police said the wife then attempted to run away again by going through the garage; however, Zatezalo grabbed his wife by the hair and pulled her back into the home. Police said Zatezalo yanked his wife so hard, it pulled hair from her head.
“Two large chunks of hair were located in this area within the residence,” police said.
Police said Zatezalo went to the front of the house with the gas can in hand, and his wife made a third attempt to escape, making it to her vehicle.
“As (the wife) was attempting to back out of the driveway, (Eli) Zatezalo was jumping on and around her vehicle yelling,” police said.
According to police, the wife was able to drive away as her husband went to his own vehicle. It was during this time the call was made that resulted in the dispatching of officers. Police said the wife had also told dispatchers that her husband looked like he would follow her, pursuing her by vehicle.
As officers were processing the scene, finding the gasoline, the gas can, the hair and other evidence, Zatezalo returned to the home, according to police.
Police said he arrived in a vehicle that showed signs of recent damage consistent with damage seen to a neighbor's mailbox. Police said after they put him in the back of the cruiser, Zatezalo smelled of alcohol and appeared to be drunk.
Police said Zatezalo later declined to have his breath tested.
A preliminary hearing for Zatezalo has been scheduled Tuesday before Seibel.
