Willow Grove Park Mall (Image courtesy of Google StreetView)
A disturbance at the mall turned into a felony charge for one woman after Abington Township Police Department responded to the call.
According to the police criminal complaint, on Jan. 3 at 5:34 p.m., police were called to the Willow Grove Park Mall by mall security for a disturbance on the first level near the Dunkin' Donuts. Police said, upon arrival, they witnessed a woman “cursing and yelling” at a man. According to police, the disturbance could be heard clearly on the third floor as it was going on.
Mall security told police that the woman and a male companion were “no longer welcome on mall property because of their behavior,” and asked police to instruct them to leave, said the complaint. Police said they relayed the message, that the woman was no longer welcome on mall property, and that she needed to leave, they said.
According to the criminal complaint, Rohjae Spearman, 24, of the 7900 block of Veree Road in Philadelphia, was identified as the woman in the disturbance. She told police, “I’m not leaving” and “I’m going to buy my stuff,” the police said. Police said that they stood in front of Spearman and advised her to leave mall property.
Spearman attempted to walk past police, they said, and one officer attempted to hold her by the arm. Spearman reportedly pulled away from the officer, stating “don’t (expletive deleted) touch me.” Police said that Spearman proceeded to hit the officer in the chest with an open hand.
Police said that they had to “physically tackle Spearman to the ground to control her.” The criminal complaint states that Spearman “pushed, shoved, and resisted handcuffing” as she was held to the ground. According to police, she also resisted handcuffing on the ground for “several minutes” until a back-up officer arrived to the scene to assist. Police said that “significant physical force” was needed to cuff Spearman, who continued to refuse orders and arrest.
According to the complaint, police said that while they were struggling with Spearman, they observed a smell of odor of alcoholic beverage coming from her breath and person. Spearman had blood-shot glassy eyes, police said.
Police said, additionally, that a large amount of customers were in the area, including small children, as Spearman yelled, screamed profanities, and fought with police.
Spearman is charged with one felony count of aggravated assault with an attempt to cause bodily injury to designated individuals, as well as misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest, defying trespassing, and simple assault. Additionally, Spearman faces summary offense charges of disorderly conduct engaged in fighting, public drunkenness, and harassment.
A $10,000 unsecured bail was set during a Jan. 4 preliminary arraignment, and Spearman is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 12 at 10:30 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Juanita A. Price.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
