New Bethlehem Man Jailed After Allegedly Assaulting Police

Scott Shindledecker

Scott Shindledecker

Published November 3, 2017 4:32 am
Image

NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. (EYT) — A New Bethlehem man is facing criminal charges after he allegedly assaulted police officers during an incident on October 25.

According to court documents, 25-year-old Derek Shawn Lowers, of New Bethlehem, was arraigned on Thursday morning in District Judge Jeffrey Miller’s office on three second-degree felony counts of aggravated assault and one summary charge of disorderly conduct.

He was lodged in the Clarion County Jail after failing to post $25,000.00 cash bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, November 14, with Judge Miller presiding.

According to a criminal complaint filed by New Bethlehem Police Chief Scott Ryan, around 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, October 25, New Bethlehem Police Sgt. Nicole Peck was sent to 413 Wood Street regarding a 25-year-old male having a psychiatric incident.

When Sgt. Peck arrived at the scene, she identified the man as Derek Lowers. While Sgt. Peck was talking with Lowers, he became violent and punched the walls. At this point, Clarion-based State Troopers were called for assistance, the complaint states.

Sgt. Peck could also smell an alcoholic beverage odor coming from Lowers, but he denied consuming alcohol. Lowers also tried to jump off the stair railing with a drop of about 20 to 25 feet. Sgt. Peck had to pull Lowers off the stair railing multiple times, according to the complaint.

When emergency medical service personnel arrived, Lowers complied, and he was handcuffed in the front to get into the ambulance. Once in the back of the ambulance, Lowers became aggressive with Sgt. Peck, continually grabbing Peck’s hand and wrists multiple times and would not follow verbal commands to let go. Lowers kicked Sgt. Peck, and as a result, he had to be restrained, the complaint states.

Officer Anderson and Trooper Tate Allison arrived and assisted Sgt. Peck in restraining Lowers for EMS personnel in the ambulance. Lowers continued to try to remove the straps on his legs and kicking all officers involved, the complaint indicates.

At this point, Lowers was released and had to be physically removed from the ambulance and placed into Sgt. Peck’s patrol vehicle due to him not complying with the EMS personnel. Also, Lowers would not comply with entering the rear seat of Peck’s patrol vehicle and had to be placed inside by Officer Anderson and Trooper Allison, according to the complaint.

When Lowers was then asked to step out and his handcuffs were placed behind his back, he resisted and had to be restrained and held down against the patrol vehicle. He was then placed in the rear of Sgt. Peck’s patrol vehicle to be taken to Clarion Hospital. Lowers then started to smash his head against the divider glass in the patrol vehicle about seven times until the officers arrived at the hospital, the complaint continues.

Lowers then resisted laying down in the hospital bed and tried to bite Trooper Allison’s hand. After Lowers was strapped to the hospital bed, he repeatedly spat on a nurse and also on Officer Anderson, the complaint states.

Recent Articles

Community Partner