A Schuylkill County woman was jailed following an allegedly violent confrontation with police last week.
Police in Shenandoah say they were conducting a follow-up interview regarding a previous disturbance at a bar in the borough at about 11 p.m. on Aug. 1.
While conducting that interview, police say Maria Rodriguez-Zavala became irate with them because they had her boyfriend in custody. Rodriguez-Zavala, who appeared to be intoxicated and smelled of alcohol, tried several times to open the door of their patrol vehicle, police say.
Police from West Mahanoy Township were called in and provided backup at the scene.
As Rodriguez-Zavala continued yelling at officers, a clear baggie containing a white powdery substance dropped to the ground. She then stepped on it.
Police say they moved Rodriguez-Zavala’s foot and picked up the baggie.
As officers attempted to take her into custody, Rodriguez-Zavala allegedly kicked one in the chest and another in the testicles.
Rodriguez-Zavala reportedly escaped her handcuffs while inside the patrol vehicle en route to the police station. After the cuffs were reapplied, she was removed from the vehicle. As police tried getting her into the police station, Rodriguez-Zavala went to ground and refused to walk.
After she was finally placed in a holding cell inside Shenandoah’s police station, police conducted a search of her book bag. Inside, police say they found another baggie that contained a white, powdery substance. Police say the substance in both baggies tested positive for fentanyl.
Rodriguez-Zavala was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli and charged with felony aggravated assaut along with misdemeanor offenses for simple assault, institutional vandalism for causing damage to a patrol vehicle, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and possessing a controlled substance. She was also charged with a summary offense of public drunkenness.
Tarantelli set bail at $50,000 cash and Rodriguez-Zavala was remanded to Schuylkill County Prison. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday before Judge Anthony Kilker.
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