Reach Out Foundation (ROF) based in Penndel Borough is a peer-to-peer stakeholder operated 501 C 3 non-profit focused on providing support and resources to those in the community living with mental health issues. The last thing the community-based mental health service provider wants is any kind of negative attention and unfortunately that was not to be the case on a on a recent cold February morning after a snow storm.
According to the criminal complaint, Penndel Borough Police responded to ROF, located at 162 Monroe Ave., Penndel, for a report of a female who was engaged in an altercation with stakeholders and staff. The female, later identified as Crystal Williams, 33, was told to leave the property and refused. After being told numerous times, Williams eventually picked up her belongings and exited through the front door of the building.
A ROF employee told police in Williams’ presence that she was not welcome back into the business moving forward. Williams was advised that she was trespassing on the property and if she returned, she would be arrested for trespassing.
Williams was aggressive and hostile towards police and staff during the entire interaction, officers said in court papers.
Williams then left the property and stood on the sidewalk directly adjacent to ROF.
Police remained across the street from the property to ensure Williams did not return to ROF. As Williams stood along the sidewalk, she screamed profanities at everyone in the area loudly and aggressively. While police stood observing Williams, she began walking back onto ROF property toward the back entry door of the center.
Police then responded back to the rear parking lot and advised Williams to put her hands behind her back. Williams then attempted to run towards the back door of the building; when police caught up to her, they attempted to stop her. She turned around and began throwing her fists at the officer, striking him in the arm and hand. Williams then ran from the property and onto Crescent Street where the chief and an officer from the Langhorne Borough Police Department attempted to stop her.
Williams continued to run down Crescent St towards Bellevue Ave., police said.
Penndel Police then began to chase Williams, who suddenly stopped and turned around with her fists balled as if she was about to strike the officer. The officer then deployed his Taser which had no effect, after striking Williams’ jacket. She then continued to flee on Crescent St before turning and heading northbound on Bellevue Ave. Williams slipped and fell on a snow pile in front of 151 Bellevue Ave. Police collectively tried to arrest Williams; she was pulling her arms away and actively resisting being held in handcuffs. The Penndel officer then attempted to drive stun Williams with the Taser, having little to no effect on her resistance. While attempting to control Williams’ arms, she swung her left arm, striking the officer on the right side of his neck and shoulder. After a short struggle, Williams was handcuffed and placed in the rear of the officer’s patrol unit which had been searched before and after Williams was placed there.
Williams was then transported to Penndel Police Station where she was searched and secured to the lockdown bench in the secure holding room.
Williams’ belongings were also searched, and police located a resealable bag of THC gummies and a glass smoking pipe. The THC gummies and glass pipe were placed into evidence to be sent to the lab for testing.
District Judge Daniel Baranoski arraigned Williams the same day on felony charges of aggravated assault, evading arrest and related offenses. Baranoski set bail at 10 percent of $25,000 and remanded her to Bucks County Jail when she was unable to post bail.
Williams is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 1.
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