A Schuylkill County woman was jailed Friday morning and faces aggravated assault and strangulation charges after a reported argument over a $3,000 tax refund turned physical early Friday morning.
Tiffany Fisher, 25, of Orwigsburg, is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, strangulation, and harassment following an alleged domestic dispute on Long Ave. in the borough. Fisher was arraigned Friday before Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli, who set bail at $10,000 and remanded her to Schuylkill County Prison.
Police in Orwigsburg say they responded to the home just before 2 a.m. Friday after Fisher requested assistance for a physical domestic dispute.
At the scene, the victim told police the two had been arguing since the previous day. The dispute reportedly escalated early Friday when the victim asked Fisher to transfer a $3,000 tax refund that had been automatically deposited into Fisher’s bank account. The victim told police they needed the funds to purchase a vehicle later that day.
The victim alleged that Fisher refused to transfer the money and told the victim, “You’ll be lucky if I don’t spend that money.”
The argument then became physical. The victim alleged that Fisher pushed her off a bed, got on top of her, and began striking her in the head, police say. The victim told officers they covered their head with their arms to protect themselves.
After the victim managed to get up, Fisher allegedly pushed her against a wall, grabbed her by the throat, and restricted her breathing for several seconds, police say.
The victim reportedly broke away and said they were going to call the police. The altercation then continued into a second-floor hallway, where Fisher allegedly tried to push the victim down the stairs. The victim reported holding onto a wall to avoid falling and having their glasses smacked off during the exchange.
The victim eventually escaped to a bedroom, where her fingers were caught in the door during a struggle to keep it closed, police say. The victim secured the room and called 9-1-1.
Police say the victim suffered a laceration to the right side of her neck, a swollen thumb knuckle, and several large bumps on the back of her head. The victim’s glasses were also broken during the incident, police say.
When speaking with police, Fisher reportedly stated the two had been arguing and that she withheld the money transfer because the victim had been disrespectful. Fisher told officers the victim accused her of planning to keep and spend the money, which Fisher reportedly called “ridiculous.”
Fisher claimed the argument turned physical only after the victim demanded Fisher’s wallet and lunged for it. However, investigators noted that Fisher admitted to causing the victim’s injuries while trying to get the victim out of her room.
Police also say Fisher told officers she eventually let the victim into her room when the victim threatened to call the police. Fisher noted she later needed a butter knife to unlock the door after the victim secured herself inside.
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