`Preliminary hearingis delayed`

The preliminary hearing of Joseph Vance, 46, of 1314 Roemer Blvd., Farrell, who was charged with kidnapping a New Castle woman at gunpoint and later raping her in Hermitage, was postponed Thursday until 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at District Justice Henry J. Russo’s office, Hermitage.

Sharon and Hermitage want to merge charges, but must wait for an order from Mercer County Common Pleas Court before the preliminary hearing can proceed, a court official said. Russo doesn’t have jurisdiction over the joint case until the order is given to officially merge the charges. Vance is charged by Hermitage police with rape, involuntary sexual intercourse and carrying a firearm without a license. Sharon police charged him with kidnapping, unlawful restraint and false imprisonment.

Vance forced a woman, who is in her 30s, into his car at gunpoint before 2:30 a.m. June 2 on George Street near New Castle Avenue in Sharon, police said. Vance, who had a gun, drove her to the 100 block of South Buhl Farm Drive in Hermitage, where he raped her in a back yard, police said.

The woman was released in Farrell at 2:38 a.m., police said.

Sharon police arrested him at 4:27 a.m. at his home.

Vance is being held in Mercer County Jail after failing to post $50,000 bond.

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Updated June 11, 1999
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SHARON, HERMITAGE

Preliminary hearing is delayed

`Preliminary hearingis delayed`