New Kensington police officer dragged by car while attempting to arrest wanted woman
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A New Kensington police officer was dragged by a vehicle Thursday when he attempted to arrest a woman he knew had an outstanding warrant against her.
The incident began about 5 p.m. at the Sunoco gas station on Tarentum Bridge Road, according to court records. A pursuit — first by car and then on foot — ensued and ended with the arrest of Jamie Lynn McHenry, 46, of Lower Burrell.
New Kensington Officer Ben Michaels said he was at the Sunoco station when he saw McHenry, who he knew to be wanted on an arrest warrant from the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department.
The warrant was a bench warrant issued by Allegheny County Judge Jill Rangos for failure to appear in court on a theft case, said Mike Manko, a spokesman for the sheriff’s department.
Michaels wrote that he approached McHenry at a gas pump, where he told her she was under arrest and to get out of her car. When Michaels grabbed the door handle of McHenry’s vehicle, she allegedly said “no” and accelerated at a high speed in the parking lot with Michael’s hand stuck in the door handle.
Michaels wrote in the complaint that he was dragged a short distance before freeing his hand.
New Kensington police said Michaels suffered minor injuries, described as scrapes and bruises.
According to her arrest papers, McHenry fled at high speed on Caldwell Avenue. Additional police units were advised of the pursuit.
An Arnold officer saw McHenry driving at high speed on Campbell Avenue through Arnold before going back into New Kensington. McHenry did not stop for Arnold police.
The complaint said McHenry stopped her car in the middle of Hawthorne Place and fled on foot. An officer chased McHenry on foot behind Hawthorne as she ran toward the interchange of Routes 56 and 366.
An officer took McHenry into custody a short time later, according to the complaint.
Police said they found a small red metal pipe inside a pack of cigarettes when McHenry was searched. Police said McHenry possessed crack cocaine.
McHenry did not have an attorney listed in court records.
New Kensington police charged McHenry with felony counts of aggravated assault and fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, and a misdemeanor charge of use or possession of drug paraphernalia.
McHenry was denied bail when she was arraigned Thursday night and was being held in the Westmoreland County jail. She is scheduled for a preliminary hearing March 2 before New Kensington District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr.