Sep 12, 2013 3 min read

A Peters Township woman faces several charges, including aggravated assault and escape, after allegedly kicking and biting a Mt. Pleasant Township police officer trying to put her in his cruiser last week.

Laura Marie Vello, 28, of 216 Center Church Road, McMurray, was seen by Mt. Pleasant officer Daniel Florian going through a stop sign at the intersection of Johns Avenue and Noblestown Road. Florian activated the emergency lights and sirens on the cruiser in an attempt to pull her over. Vello reportedly was going 80 mph in a 40 mph zone on Fort Cherry Road before turning onto Walnut Street where she stopped her car.

After performing field sobriety tests, Florian determined Vello was under the influence of alcohol and told her she was under arrest. Police said Vello refused to comply and tried to walk away. Florian was able to handcuff her and had her stand in front of his cruiser as he awaited backup.

Vello then allegedly became irate and started yelling obscenities as she tried to break the officer’s hold on her arm, according to court documents. When Florian tried to put her in the cruiser, Vello allegedly tried to kick him and fell. Florian got her off the ground and attempted to put her in the police car, but she braced her leg against the car.

After Florian pushed her into the cruiser, Vello escaped out of the left handcuff and allegedly swung her right hand at the officer’s face. As he tried different methods to restrain her, Vello reportedly bit, scratched and kicked him.

An officer from Cecil Township arrived and assisted in putting the handcuffs back on Vello and getting her in the back of the cruiser. While waiting for an ambulance and Chief Lou McQuillan to arrive to assist, Vello was able to escape from her handcuffs two more times, police said. While in the cruiser, she also allegedly threatened to kill the officer.

Vello was taken to Canonsburg General Hospital, where she refused to submit to a blood alcohol test, police said. She also reportedly yelled and swore at several police officers as well as the hospital staff.

Florian was treated for a laceration to his arm and a sprained knee that he sustained during the incident.

Charges of aggravated assault, escape, resisting arrest, terroristic threats, simple assault, driving under the influence of alcohol, harassment, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct as well as traffic violations were filed at the office of District Judge Valarie Costanzo. A preliminary hearing will be held Oct. 17 before Costanzo.