Cops: Woman caught with stolen purse kicked trooper during arrest
A Vandergrift woman who authorities say kicked a state police trooper as she was being arrested in Oklahoma Borough last week remained in the Westmoreland County Prison on Sunday, according to court records.
Court records show Melissa Ann Gourley, 46, failed to post $3,000 bond on charges of aggravated assault, theft, receiving stolen property, simple assault, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.
State police say the incident was reported around 2:40 a.m. Feb. 18 on Jefferson Avenue.
According to troopers, Gourley was caught on surveillance video stealing a woman’s purse from her car at a Parks Township bar.
When troopers met up with Gourley, they found the purse in the bed of the truck she had been driving and placed her under arrest.
During the arrest, Gourley became combative with troopers and kicked one as she was being placed into a patrol vehicle, troopers said.
Gourley was arraigned on the charges Tuesday. A preliminary hearing is set for March 24.
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