Most charges withdrawn against woman accused of kicking Shenandoah police officers
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Police at the scene of an incident at Gilbert and Centre Streets on May 6, 2023.
SHENANDOAH – All but two charges were withdrawn against a woman accused of kicking two Shenandoah police officers when she was found staggering in the middle of West Centre Street.
Maria Alejandra Escalon, 36, whose address is unknown, was originally facing charges of assault, resisting arrest, vandalism, and public drunkenness for the May 6 incident.
According to a criminal complaint filed by Patrolman Hugh Clinton, Escalon was seen staggering in the middle of West Centre Street while he and Patrolman Mindy Petrus were patrolling.
Officers pulled over and approached the woman, offering her a ride home. Clinton said in court papers that the officers could smell alcohol on her breath.
The two escorted Escalon to their patrol car and, when they opened the rear door, she began shouting and trying to walk away, then pulling away from officers.
At that point, officers attempted to place her in handcuffs and a struggle ensued. Escalon was brought to the ground and backup was requested, bringing a patrol car from Mahanoy City to the scene.
Once in handcuffs, Escalon, officers said, kicked Petrus twice. When Mahanoy City Police arrived, Escalon was placed into the patrol car, at which point she kicked Clinton, according to the complaint.
On the way back to the station, Escalon kicked the back door of the cruiser several times and slammed her hands off the center divider in the patrol car.
She was committed to Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post $25,000 cash bail.
At a preliminary hearing Thursday before Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker, all charges except resisting arrest and public drunkenness were withdrawn. Those two charges were waived from court.
Bail in the case was reduced to $1, which Escalon posted and she is now free while the case moves to Schuylkill County Court.
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