Woman charged with assault, attempted escape after Saturday arrest

Monday, March 20, 2006

A woman assaulted a Frederick police officer early Saturday morning after she escaped from handcuffs in the back of the patrol car.

Lisa L. Maley, 33, of 5336 Bhines Road in Frederick, was charged with second-degree assault, attempted escape, attempted carjacking, reckless endangerment, possession of controlled dangerous substance and paraphernalia, driving under the influence and driving with a revoked license.

The Frederick Police Department gave the following account of the incident:

Officer Samantha Crane had arrested Maley after she observed a 1993 Dodge van traveling without headlights southbound on North East Street shortly after midnight Saturday. The officer observed that the driver appeared to be concealing something behind the seat and smelled alcohol on the driver’s breath, police said. Crane saw several empty beer cans inside the van.

A drug detection dog was called in to scan the vehicle and alerted police to the presence of drugs, police said. A search revealed a crack pipe and a small quantity of crack cocaine inside Maley’s purse, police said.

Maley was arrested and put in the back of the patrol car. In transit, Maley removed the handcuffs from one wrist and attacked Crane from behind, pulling her hair and clawing her face, police said.

At the corner of Citizen’s Way and South Court Street, Crane put the vehicle into park and struggled with the suspect, who forced her way onto the driver’s seat and applied her foot fully on the accelerator. She also attempted to place the vehicle into drive and push the officer out of the vehicle. Crane maintained pressure on the brake and prevented the suspect from moving the gearshift into drive.

Members of the Citizens Fire Company observed the struggle and came to the officer’s assistance. They were able to get the suspect under control from the passenger side of the police vehicle, and she was re-handcuffed.

Crane sustained minor lacerations to her face and mouth. Emergency personnel administered first aid. Maley was not injured during the struggle, but she complained of lower abdominal discomfort once at police headquarters. She was transported to Frederick Memorial Hospital for evaluation and released a short time later. She was then transported to the Frederick County Adult Detention Center.