Robbery suspect charged in assault
Mazza allegedly strangled, threatened victim while she was holding infant
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CLEARFIELD -- A DuBois man charged in two Blair County armed robberies is facing felony charges for allegedly strangling and threatening to kill his co-defendant while she was holding a baby.
Joseph Michael Mazza, 30, was charged by state police at Clearfield with aggravated assault, two counts of strangulation and endangering the welfare of children, all felonies, as well as misdemeanor simple assault, terroristic threats and recklessly endangering another person in relation to his actions on July 9 at a DuBois residence.
The next morning Mazza and Amber Lyn Herren, 25, allegedly robbed the Unique Tobacco Store in Altoona and the Dollar General Store in Tyrone.
They were taken into custody after a traffic stop later that day on Route 322 near Port Matilda. Their 1-month-old daughter was with them, according to a previous article.
Police said they found a loaded pistol, $5,585 in cash and items matching those worn by the suspect.
Herran reportedly cooperated with police, providing details of the crimes and of the assault at their home.
According to that affidavit of probable cause, Mazza, who was using methamphetamine, began yelling at the victim, saying his phone was hacked, and he became paranoid about police coming to their residence.
Police say he grabbed the victim by her arms, causing bruising, then struck her in the face/jaw area, causing bruising to her chin and cheek.
"During the time of the strike to the facial area, the victim was holding her 1-month-old baby," it said in the report.
Mazza also allegedly kicked her in the back, pistol whipped her causing a cut on her forehead and then strangled her until "she began to lose consciousness."
The assault continued as he grabbed a gun, held it to her head and said he was going to kill her, according to the criminal complaint.
The victim stated that she tried to leave the home but he grabbed her, pulling her up the steps and back into the residence.
Mazza is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on these charges today during centralized court at District Judge David Meholick's office in DuBois.
Both Mazza and Herren are awaiting preliminary hearings on the robbery cases. Mazza was denied bail because he is "an extreme risk to community safety," he has a "violent criminal history" and "proof is evident," according to docket information.
In 2016, Mazza pleaded guilty in a home invasion and robbery case in Clearfield County where he was sentenced to four to eight years in state prison.