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When she was stopped for a vehicle violation in the 2900 block of Lycoming Creek Road about 8:50 p.m. Monday, motorist Melissa Marie Mertz “appeared extremely paranoid, repeatedly making statements that officers were following her and stalking her,” it was stated in an affidavit.
The 34-year-old homeless woman became “extremely hyperactive, sweating profusely,” and as officers were attempting to assist her out of her Ford Mustang, she struck one of them in the side of his face, it was alleged.
She put the car in drive and took off, fleeing south a short distance before crashing into a utility pole in the 2400 block of Lycoming Creek Road.
Mertz was taken into custody after putting up considerable resistance, police said. She was arraigned before District Judge William Solomon on felony charges of aggravated assault and fleeing as well as evading arrest, resisting arrest, DUI (she appeared under the influence of drugs or a combination of drugs) and two summary offenses. She was committed to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail.