Woman Found Guilty of Assaulting Pa. Police Officer

May 10--BEAVER -- After three hours of deliberation Wednesday, a jury found a Munhall woman guilty of stealing from an Ambridge store and assaulting the officer who tried to arrest her.

Juanita Bridges, also known as Juanita Raines and Juanita Pope, 42, of 36 Grant St. was found guilty of aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, endangering the welfare of children and retail theft for the Aug. 24 incident that began inside Dollar General when Bridges and her teenage daughter stole items and left the store.

During the trial Tuesday, Daryl Henry, the store's assistant manager, testified that he saw Bridges, whom he knows, and her daughter taking items on the surveillance system and called police.

Officer Brad Davis testified that when he arrived Bridges tried to drive away, but her vehicle was blocked by another police car that arrived on the scene. Davis said Bridges refused to exit her vehicle, and he reached through a partially open driver's window in an attempt to unlock the door.

Davis said Bridges put the window up and trapped his arm inside. He said Bridges would not roll down the window, and he became afraid she was going to drive away with his arm still trapped in the window. He described the pain of being caught in the window as "excruciating."

After he drew his gun, made an unsuccessful attempt to break the window and aimed his gun at Bridges, she finally rolled the window down, Davis testified.

"An attack against a police officer is an attack against the community we are sworn to protect," Davis said after the verdict. "Today the people of Beaver County sent a very clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated. Juanita Bridges is now exactly where she belongs."

Bridges -- who failed to show for the start of her trial Tuesday and had to be brought to court by sheriff's deputies -- was taken to the Beaver County Jail following the verdict. A sentencing date has not been set.

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