Woman uses pickax on car; officers called repeatedly

A Tamaqua woman was cited after what started as a domestic dispute on Aug. 16.

Tamaqua police were called to anEast Elm Street address at 4:06 p.m. for a domestic in progress. Officers spoke with both parties and the male agreed to leave the premises. As he did the other involved party, Bernadette Moulthrop, 45, brought out a container which she said contained the male's drugs. She threw the container at the officers but it struck the ground, scattering small baggies, a straw with residue and a razor blade on the sidewalk.

The officers picked up the items and left the scene.

At 4:56 p.m. officers were called back to the scene where Moulthrop was using a metal object to shatter the lights on a white Buick. She said she was trying to get her things out of the car. She was advised to stop or she would be charged.

Additional calls were made to police at 6:57 p.m. and 10:07 p.m. by neighbors who had video of Moulthrop using a pickax to break the windows in the Buick, then removing items, which she placed on the sidewalk.

Officers were able to gain access to the home at 10:46 p.m. when the Buick's owner returned to the scene.

Moulthrop was arraigned before District Judge Stephen Bayer, of Tamaqua, on charges of criminal mischief, possession of drug paraphernalia, disorderly conduct and scattering rubbish. Bail was set at $5,000 straight, which she was unable to post, earning her a stay in the Schuylkill County prison in Pottsville.