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Homeless woman locked up on charges after allegedly barging into Williamsport home

When Joanna Zaleska arrived at a home in the 900 block of Elmira Street about 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 12, another woman answered the door, city police said. Zaleska demanded the woman give her a glass of water, police said, adding that the woman told Zaleska she was prohibited from coming inside. However, while the woman was getting her water, Zaleska, who appeared to be under the influence of a drug, “barged into the house,” and began hallucinating, officers were told. Zaleska, who is homeless, began “speaking gibberish” and started assaulting the woman, police alleged in an affidavit. While the woman attempted to call 911 on her cellphone, the 39-year-old Zalesk grabbed the phone and fled the scene, police said. Zaleska was taken into custody a short time later at a downtown business after police were dispatched there because Zaleska refused to leave. She was arraigned that night before District Judge Christian Frey on charges of simple assault, felony trespassing, theft, receiving stolen property and harassment, She remains jailed in the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $15,000 bail.

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