Tamaqua domestic incident leads to 2 arrests

A domestic incident in Tamaqua Thursday morning landed both participants before District Judge Stephen Bayer, Tamaqua, for arraignments.

Officers were dispatched to 66 Bowe St. in the borough at 2:44 a.m. and at 3:25 a.m. that day. The first incident was a verbal dispute between Barbara Ann Bankes, 43, and Joseph Stephen Terry, 46, who had taken their dispute out into the street. Neighbors tried to diffuse the situation, with Ms. Bankes going back indoors. She refused to answer officers' attempts to contact her.

Later, officers received a call from Terry, who said he had been assaulted by Bankes. He was bleeding from a head wound and Bankes had left the area when officers returned to the scene. Terry was transported to St. Luke's' Miners Memorial Hospital, Coaldale, in the Tamaqua Ambulance, where he received stitches to close his wound.

Officers searched for Bankes and found her vehicle on Green Street.

A short time later, Bankes called the Schuylkill County Communications Center and reported being assaulted by Terry, who had returned from the hospital. A records check indicated both parties had active "protection from abuse" orders against each other and were prohibited from any direct contact.

Both were taken into custody and arraigned before Judge Bayer.

Terry was charged with indirect criminal contempt of court. Bail was set at $10,000. A relative posted the required 10 percent of Terry's bail and he was released.

Bankes was charged with simple assault, harassment and indirect criminal contempt of court. Her bail was also set at 10 percent of $10,000. Unable to post bond, she was incarcerated in the Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville.