Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Woman Provides False Identity, Attempts to Escape Police Custody, and Assaults Police Officer in Shenandoah

A woman is facing charges after she provided a false identity and attempted to escape police custody in Shenandoah last week.

According to Shenandoah Police, on Friday, March 10th, 2023, officers responded to the Burger King on South Main Street with EMS for a possible overdose victim inside a vehicle. 

Upon arrival, management directed police and EMS to the front counter where a female, later identified as Melanie Guinther, 41 of Paxinos was standing near a table. 

Guinther denied having any medical issues or being under the influence of controlled substances. 

She also refused help from EMS and provided police with a false identity. 

Guinther was detained for investigative purposes, and upon discovering her true identity, it was learned she had two active warrants out of the Monroe County Sheriff's Office in Stroudsburg for failure to appear in court. 

Upon arrival at the Shenandoah police Station, Guinther was removed from the patrol vehicle, where it was discovered, she had slipped a handcuff off of her wrist and intended to run, but was caught and taken to the ground, where she assaulted the police officer. 

West Mahanoy Township Police arrived seconds later and assisted with taking Guinther back into custody.

She was subsequently searched by a female Shenandoah Police Officer and a female Frackville Borough Police Officer where she was found to be in possession of suspected fentanyl and drug paraphernalia. 

After being transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Pottsville for evaluation, Guinther was transported to the Monroe County Correctional Facility. 

Shenandoah Police charged Guinther with a felony charge of aggravated assault, misdemeanor charges of escape, false identification to law enforcement, possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.  

The above charges were filed against Guinther at Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker's office where a preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 30th, 2023.