According to the Pottsville Bureau of Police, officers were dispatched at approximately 12:34 a.m. on January 24, 2026, to the area of the 7/11 located at 2 S. Claude A. Lord Boulevard for a reported argument between a male and a female.
Officers canvassed the area and made contact with the caller, identified as Octavia Cole, 43, of Pottsville, at the intersection of North George and East Market streets. Police say Cole was visibly intoxicated, stumbling in the street and slurring her speech when officers arrived.
Further investigation determined that Cole had been at a friend’s residence on East Market Street, where she was asked to leave due to her level of intoxication and alleged destruction of property.
Police report that Cole became belligerent and began yelling in the street. She was also reportedly non-compliant with two officers. Due to her level of intoxication and concern that she could endanger herself or others, officers placed Cole under arrest for public drunkenness.
While officers attempted to place Cole into the back of a patrol vehicle, police say she kicked both officers multiple times and continued to be uncooperative.
Cole was then transported to Pottsville City Hall to be placed in a holding cell. Police say that upon arrival, Cole continued to be belligerent and kicked an officer while exiting the patrol vehicle. As officers escorted her toward the holding cells, she allegedly kicked another officer while being guided through the doors.
Police further report that Cole then spit in an officer’s face and duty vest. Once inside the holding cell, she allegedly kicked and struck another officer and attempted to bite him.
As a result of the incident, Cole was charged with one count of Assault of a Law Enforcement Officer (Felony 3), two counts of Harassment (Summary), one count of Disorderly Conduct, and one count of Public Drunkenness (Summary).
Later that day, Cole was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker and remanded to the Schuylkill County Prison on $25,000 straight bail.