Man Threatened to Shoot Stepdaughter's Fiance Over Dog, Police Say

A 52-year-old Phoenixville man faces charges after police say he threatened to shoot his stepdaughter’s fiancé last month because the man bought her a pet.

Phoenixville Police were dispatched to the 200 block of Washington Avenue for a report of a disturbance on Feb. 8, according to court documents.

At the scene, a resident of the home told officers that his fiancé’s stepfather had threatened him before taking off in his pickup truck. According to police, the man said that he had bought his fiancé a dog, and her father, who disapproved of the purchase, tried to punch the man in the face, missed, and then threatened to shoot him.

Police later made contact with the defendant, a resident of the unit block of East Walnut Street. The man admitted to having an argument with his stepdaughter’s beaux, but denied threatening to shoot him. The defendant added, police say, that he didn’t approve of the relationship because the fiancé is an illegal immigrant who “should be deported.”

The man was charged with terroristic threats, harassment, and disorderly conduct on Feb. 19. He faces preliminary hearing on March 14.