Belle Vernon woman charged with assault of cop in custody dispute
A Belle Vernon woman is facing aggravated assault and other charges for allegedly speeding away from a Monessen police officer who had his hand in the car door handle.
Police were dispatched for a child custody dispute on Pennsylvania Boulevard Wednesday night between Rachel Marie Gerhold, 33, and George Gerhold. Police said the woman was yelling at Gerhold to the point where she was threatened with arrest if she did not calm down, according to court documents.
Police said she continued yelling at police after sleeping arrangements were made for the children. The children got into her vehicle. She yelled and used profanity at police just before getting into her car, they said.
Officer William Dennison opened the car door to take her into custody when Gerhold allegedly accelerated with the officer’s hand wrapped around the handle. Dennison wrote in the affidavit the acceleration tore the door from his hand and pulled his arm violently.
Police said she sped down Pennsylvania Boulevard. Officers caught up to her when she was attempting to turn right onto State Road.
Officers found a loaded 9-mm pistol in her purse, according to the affidavit.
She is charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, recklessly endangering another person and disorderly conduct.
Gerhold was arraigned Thursday morning before Magisterial District Judge Joseph A. Dalfonso and lodged in Fayette County Prison in lieu of a $10,000 bond.