High School B-Ball Coach Accused of Attacking Girlfriend and Her Son

Editor's Note from May 22, 2014: Charges were dropped when the alleged victim did not show up in court.


The coach of a successful high school basketball team was arrested on Friday after he allegedly attacked his girlfriend and her teenage son.

Police say they responded to a home on Elson Road in Chester Township around 11:45 a.m. on Friday for a report of a domestic disturbance.

When police arrived, they say they found Larry Yarbray, 43, standing outside. Yarbray allegedly told the officers that nothing had occurred and that the woman who alerted police was overreacting.

When police went inside the home, they say they found Yarbray’s girlfriend and her 14-year-old son. Both the woman and teen had bruises on their head and neck, according to investigators.

The woman told police that Yarbray first attacked her while they were lying in bed together Thursday night. The woman claimed she smelled alcohol on Yarbray and the two began arguing. The argument soon escalated into a physical altercation, according to investigators.

Yarbray allegedly grabbed her neck to choke her and she struck him in order to protect herself. Yarbray then allegedly grabbed her arm and back of her neck, threw her on the bed and placed his knee in the center of her back.

Investigators say the woman’s teen son then entered the room and punched and shoved Yarbray in order to protect his mother. Yarbray then allegedly grabbed the boy by the throat and held him against the wall. He then let the boy go and left the home, according to investigators.

The woman told police she changed all the locks on her door, fearing that Yarbray would return. Friday morning, Yarbray allegedly returned to the home and tried to break in through the front. He then allegedly forced his way through the back door.

Investigators say Yarbray confronted the woman on the steps inside the home and then shoved her down.

Yarbray was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and other related offenses.

Yarbray is the coach of the Chester High School Boys basketball team. Since he became coach in 2008, the team has gone 156-27 and won two PIAA Class AAAA titles.

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