Local woman charged with prostitution
A 35-year-old woman is in jail after she allegedly propositioned a police officer who was on his way to work. Thelma Marie Friday, formerly of Connellsville, was arraigned Sunday on a prostitution charge before Magisterial District Judge Joseph George Jr. and placed in Fayette County Prison after failing to post a $5,000 straight cash bond.
Friday also was charged with resisting arrest, according to a criminal complaint filed by Uniontown police Detective Donald M. Gmitter.
In the complaint, Gmitter said he was on his way to work at 6:20 a.m. March 6 when he spotted a suspicious woman, later identified as Friday, walking on Gallatin Avenue in the area of Kerr Street.
Gmitter said he drove past Friday, who also is known to reside in Uniontown, and removed his police jacket and badge before circling back and approaching the woman, who was then walking on Lemon Street.
Gmitter, who was driving his personal vehicle, said he rolled down a window as he neared Friday and that she asked him if he wanted “company.”
According to the complaint, Gmitter said he asked Friday if she “was working” and that she said “yes.”
Gmitter said he told Friday to get in his truck and that she complied, asking him if he was a police officer.
Gmitter said he told her that he was a businessman, not a police officer.
While stopped at a traffic light at the intersection of Lenox Street and Gallatin Avenue, Gmitter said he and Friday discussed how much he would pay her to perform certain sex acts.
Friday asked Gmitter for $30 to perform oral sex but agreed to perform the sex act for $25, the complaint states.
Gmitter said Friday instructed him to drive to a Millview Street location so she could perform the sex act. While driving there, Gmitter said Friday lifted her shirt and asked him to touch her to prove he wasn’t a cop.
At that point, Gmitter said he pulled onto Walnut Street and identified himself as a police officer, informing Friday she was under arrest for prostitution.
Gmitter said Friday tried to jump out of his moving vehicle and that he reached across the console of his truck and grabbed her shirt to keep her from running.
Friday exited the vehicle, but Gmitter said he was able to subdue her and place her under arrest.
Gmitter said he called for backup and that Sgt. Fred Balsley and officers Ray Miller and Eric Hanula arrived on scene.
Gmitter said Friday was placed in the back of Miller’s police car and taken to the city police station, where she was searched and released.
A warrant for Friday’s arrest was issued March 21. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 3.