PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (EYT) — A Punxsutawney woman is accused of trying to hide a wanted man from being taken into custody.
A summons was issued for 44-year-old Tanya Renee Powell, of Punxsutawney, to appear in district court on a second-degree misdemeanor charge of hindering apprehension.
Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 31.
According to the criminal complaint filed on December 29, 2017, Punxsutawney Borough Police Officers Zeitler and Clement responded to 310 North Findley Street at 6:47 p.m. on Thursday, December 27, to assist Jefferson County Adult Probation.
When both officers arrived, probation officers said they had an arrest warrant for Haden Cole Roy, 21, of Punxsutawney, and believed he was inside the residence with Powell. Probation officers knocked on the door and announced who they were and why they were there for about 30 minutes, the complaint said.
Then, the owner of the apartment had arrived and after Probation Officer Deshong explained the situation, the owner retrieved the keys to the residence and let probation and Officer Clement into the apartment, according to the complaint.
Officer Zeitler said he remained outside watching the rear of the house. When Officer Deshong tried to open the bedroom door, someone inside slammed it shut. Officer Deshong then did get the door open and found Powell was trying to block the door and saying, in effect, “It’s me, it’s just me,” the complaint states.
Then, Roy jumped out a rear window and fled as officers entered. Officer Zeitler chased Roy but didn’t catch him as Roy ran to the Cherry Street area, according to the complaint.
Later, Officer Zeitler and probation officers spoke with Powell, and she said she did know there was an active arrest warrant for Roy. She said she didn’t open the bedroom door when officers tried to enter because she was scared. Officer Zeitler told Powell that due to her actions and knowing he was wanted, she was going to be charged with hindering apprehension, according to police.
Powell also has pending charges from a December 9, 2017 incident involving a traffic accident that includes driving on a suspended license and careless driving.
Roy’s bench warrant was a result of him violating his probation that resulted from a guilty plea in March 2017 for criminal trespass.
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