A woman ripped clumps of hair from her wife’s scalp during a roadside fight along the Gordon Nagle Trail after her wife said she wanted a divorce, police say.
Gabriela Alago, 34, of Reading, is charged with one count of simple assault, a second-degree misdemeanor, and one count of harassment, a summary offense.
Police in Pottsville were dispatched shortly before 1 p.m. July 30 to Gordon Nagle Trail near Sheetz for a report of an active domestic disturbance involving a woman walking toward the store with a bloody face.
An officer found the victim inside the women’s restroom at Sheetz. Police say she had bruising around her right eye, bruising to her right bicep, scratches and redness to the side and top of her head, scratches to the back of her neck and face, and multiple strands and clumps of hair that had been pulled from her scalp.
The victim told police she and Alago, her wife, had been traveling on the Gordon Nagle Trail when they began arguing after she told Alago she wanted a divorce because the relationship had become increasingly abusive, both verbally and physically.
Alago became enraged and repeatedly poked her in the forehead, the victim told police, then stopped their vehicle near DM2 Security, about a quarter-mile south of Sheetz.
The victim said Alago tried to take her black computer bag, which held her work laptop and her cellphone. During the struggle that followed, Alago repeatedly and aggressively pulled her hair, causing pain, scratches to her head and neck, and hair to be pulled from her scalp, the victim told police. The responding officer reported observing hair consistent with the victim’s account.
Alago then pulled the computer bag off the victim’s arm, got out of the vehicle and intentionally smashed the bag and the work laptop onto the roadway, the victim told police. When the victim tried to retrieve another work computer from inside the vehicle, police say Alago again grabbed and pulled her hair with force, causing additional pain and scratches to her face.
The victim said she got back into the vehicle to retrieve her cellphone and that Alago pulled her hair again while trying to force her out. She told police she stayed inside because she feared being stranded alongside a heavily traveled state roadway.
The victim eventually got out and walked north to Sheetz, police say. Alago left the scene in a black Jeep Cherokee traveling north on the Gordon Nagle Trail.
Alago was arraigned the evening of July 30 before Magisterial District Judge Stephen Bayer, who set bail at $10,000 unsecured. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 17 before Judge James Reiley.
Schuylkill County Crisis & Support Resources
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence, free, confidential, and inclusive help is available 24/7 in Schuylkill County.
- Schuylkill Hope Center (Domestic Violence): Call the 24/7 hotline at (570) 622-6220, text HOPELINE to 20121, or visit schopecenter.org. Services include emergency shelter, housing assistance, counseling, and legal representation.
- SARCC (Sexual Assault): Call the 24/7 hotline at (570) 628-2965 or visit sarccheals.org for counseling, advocacy, and healing support for survivors of sexual violence.
- Outside Schuylkill County: Residents across Pennsylvania can find their local domestic violence program at pcadv.org. You can also visit domesticshelters.org to find resources near you.
More From Coal Region Canary
See all stories ›
Flood Watch Issued for Schuylkill County on Thursday
4 hours ago
Nabholz Has Allowed Just 1 Earned Run in 5 Appearances Since Promotion to Eugene
12 hours ago
Schuylkill County Man Used Brother’s Name During Traffic Stop Because He’d Been Sentenced to Jail for Driving on a Suspended License
13 hours ago
Barton Cards Sub-70 Round to Pace Haven; Blue Mountain Sweeps Tri-Match
15 hours ago
PennDOT to Host Winter Job Fair in Schuylkill County
17 hours ago
Schuylkill County Man Wanted After Police Say He Traded Nude Photos With 16-Year-Old
18 hours agoSubscribe to Coal Region Canary
Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!Support Coal Region Canary
Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...