A Schuylkill County man and woman are accused of assaulting an Ashland police officer during a melee Monday night over their vehicle being towed.
Mikel Burrows, 36, and Morgan Leigh Miller, 35, both of Ashland, are each charged with aggravated assault, a first-degree felony, and resisting arrest, a second-degree misdemeanor, following the confrontation outside their Spruce St. home.
According to police, Ashland officers Brandon Gonzalez and Jada Habowski arrived at 1120 Spruce St. shortly after 9:30 p.m. on July 20, along with Trail Towing, to remove a vehicle from the street. Burrows came out of the home and told officers they were not taking the vehicle.
Gonzalez said the vehicle had been ticketed for an expired inspection for three years, and that Ashland Police Chief Ger Daley left a notice in the mailbox the previous week warning it would be towed that day if it wasn’t moved. Miller then came out of the residence and echoed Burrows, saying the police weren’t going to tow the vehicle.
Habowski had spoken with Miller by phone earlier that day, shortly after 2 p.m., and she said she would have someone move the vehicle, police said. She was told that if it wasn’t moved by that night, it would be towed.
When officers returned that evening with the tow truck already on scene, Burrows and Miller again refused to let the vehicle be taken, according to police. Officers warned both that they would be charged with obstruction if they didn’t move away from the vehicle and allow it to be towed. The two stepped back but kept objecting.
Gonzalez then tried to move Burrows by pushing him lightly in the chest, and Burrows pushed back, police said. Gonzalez drew his Taser and ordered Burrows to back up; Burrows complied, and Gonzalez re-holstered the weapon. The back-and-forth continued for several more minutes until Miller walked past Gonzalez and struck him with her elbow, making contact with his side and arm, according to police.
Gonzalez tried to arrest Miller for assaulting him and brought her to the ground. As he did, Burrows jumped on Gonzalez while Miller ran off, police said. Gonzalez wrestled with Burrows on the ground; Burrows wouldn’t allow the officer to handcuff him, then got up and said he’d comply but wouldn’t give Gonzalez his hands.
Gonzalez and Habowski handcuffed Burrows shortly after and placed him in a police cruiser. Miller returned to the scene, and Gonzalez again brought her to the ground and tried to arrest her. She resisted by pulling away and not letting officers get hold of her hands, but the two officers were able to handcuff her.
Both defendants were arraigned Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker. Bail was set at 10% of $25,000 each, which each posted the same day. Preliminary hearing dates for Miller and Burrows are set for July 29 before Judge Edward Tarantelli.
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