Oct. 23--NANTICOKE -- Caught two days after he allegedly fired a gun at a state police trooper, William Gronosky called himself a monster who was ready to kill or be killed during a car chase in April.
Gronosky, 29, said he was not going to be taken alive and was ready to take out troopers if he was stopped during the high-speed pursuit.
Alleged statements Gronosky made to authorities are included in a criminal complaint charging him with firing two shots at a trooper near the Carousel Lounge adult club in Plymouth Township on April 13.
Gronosky at the time was wanted for his alleged role in four incidents including an armed robbery at the club, a burglary at a trooper's residence, a home invasion in Hanover Township and firing multiple shots at a Wilkes-Barre police officer during an earlier pursuit. He was captured on April 15 inside a men's room at a convenience store in Montgomery County.
Gronosky was arraigned Monday by District Judge Donald Whittaker via video conference from the Luzerne County Correctional Facility on charges of aggravated assault, assault on a law enforcement officer, illegal possession of a firearm and fleeing or attempting to elude police. Bail was set at $100,000 on the latest charges filed by state police Cpl. Stephen Turinski and Trooper Stephen Polishan.
He has been jailed for lack of $1 million bail on other charges.
According to the complaint:
A Wilkes-Barre police officer who chased Gronosky after a home invasion in Hanover Township on March 25-26 learned late on April 12 that Gronosky was at a tavern in West Nanticoke and would be driving a gold 2011 Chevrolet Cruze.
State police set up surveillance in the area of the Carousel Lounge and spotted a woman parking the car near the club. Gronosky was seen leaving the club and driving away in the vehicle.
When troopers pursued Gronosky south on Route 11 he allegedly aimed a handgun out the window and fired two rounds. State police said the shooting was recorded on a video camera mounted in the cruiser. The trooper was not injured.
After Gronosky was captured in Montgomery County, he allegedly said he is a "monster" and was ready to kill troopers and be killed if he was stopped during the pursuit.
In a related case, state police charged his girlfriend, Ashley Evans, 24, of Nanticoke, with paying another woman to rent the Chevrolet for Gronosky. Evans is facing a hindering apprehension charge in Luzerne County Court.
Copyright 2012 - The Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.)
