Crime & Safety

SouthSide Woman Accused of Swinging at Cop

City police responded to home to involuntarily commit suspect's mother.

 

An 18-year-old south Bethlehem woman swung her fist at the face of a city police officer, striking him in the shoulder, and the officer had to use pepper spray to subdue her, according to court records.

Officer Matthew Laxton said he was called Tuesday night to the home of the suspect, Amanda Michelle Spear, of 1264 E. Fourth St. to assist another officer with an involuntary commitment warrant for Spear’s mother.

Laxton said that while attempting to place the mother in custody, Spear swung her fist at his face, striking him in the left shoulder, then grabbed and squeezed his left wrist and pushed him several times, the records say.

While this was going on, the other officer was struggling with the mother and Laxton could not assist him. At one point, Spear “was taken to the ground and continued to resist and strike me,” Laxton said. “The defendant refused to give me her hands after being told numerous times she was under arrest.”

Laxton said “substantial force,” including the use of pepper spray, was required to subdue Spear.

Spear was arraigned early Wednesday by on-duty District Judge Jackie Taschner of Palmer Township on charges of aggravated assault against an officer, resisting arrest and obstructing the administration of law or government function. She was taken to Northampton County Prison after failing to post 10 percent of $15,000 bail.


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