Crime & Safety
Cops: Wychwood Homeowner Bit, Kicked Officers in Attempt to Reach Burning House
Courtney Schael, 50, is accused of assaulting three officers who were trying to restrain her Friday night, according to report.
One of the owners of the Wychwood Gatehouse that caught fire on Friday evening was arrested at the scene for assaulting three police officers, according to Capt. Scott Rodger.
Courtney Schael, 50, was charged with three counts of aggravated assault on a police officer, disorderly conduct and obstructing the administrator pursuant to a fire investigation.
Schael attempted to cross the scene of the fire and go toward the burning house when Westfield officers warned her several times to stay back, Rodger said. She continued to walk toward the home and when an officer attempted to restrain her, she shoved him causing him to stumble backward, Rodger added.
As the same officer went to place her under arrest, she bit him, according to Rodger. Schael then repeatedly kicked two other officers as they tried to place her in a patrol car, Rodger said.Schael was released on $5,000 bail pending an upcoming court date.
Schael and another person purchased the home in November, according to the Union County Clerk's office.
The historic home at 120 Wychwood Road caught fire on Friday evening before the new owners officially moved in.
Schael attempted to cross the scene of the fire and go toward the burning house when Westfield officers warned her several times to stay back, Rodger said. She continued to walk toward the home and when an officer attempted to restrain her, she shoved him causing him to stumble backward, Rodger added.
As the same officer went to place her under arrest, she bit him, according to Rodger. Schael then repeatedly kicked two other officers as they tried to place her in a patrol car, Rodger said.Schael was released on $5,000 bail pending an upcoming court date.
Schael and another person purchased the home in November, according to the Union County Clerk's office.
The historic home at 120 Wychwood Road caught fire on Friday evening before the new owners officially moved in.
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