According to criminal complaints filed by the Ashland Borough Police Department, officers responded to 1120 Spruce Street at approximately 9:37 p.m. on July 20 to assist Trail Towing with the removal of a vehicle. Police said the vehicle had been repeatedly cited for expired inspection and that residents had previously been notified it would be towed if it was not removed.
Police identified the defendants as Mikel Burrows, 36, and Morgan Leigh Miller, 35, both of Ashland. Each has been charged with:
- Aggravated Assault (F1)
- Resisting Arrest (M2)
According to affidavits of probable cause, officers had informed Burrows and Miller multiple times that the vehicle would be towed if it remained on the street. When the tow truck arrived, both allegedly stood in front of the vehicle and refused to allow it to be removed despite being warned they could face obstruction charges. The affidavits state Burrows allegedly shoved an officer in the chest while officers attempted to move him away from the vehicle.
Police said officers attempted to arrest Burrows, but Miller allegedly walked past one of the officers and struck him with her elbow. The officer then attempted to arrest Miller, at which point Burrows allegedly jumped on the officer and wrestled with him on the ground. Investigators said Burrows refused commands to place his hands behind his back while Miller allegedly fled on foot before later being taken into custody.
According to police, Miller continued resisting as officers attempted to handcuff her after she returned to the scene. Both defendants were eventually taken into custody and transported to the Ashland Police Station before being transferred to Schuylkill County Prison. Police said the officer suffered multiple scratches to his right arm, right palm and knee during the incident.Court records show both Burrows and Miller were arraigned before on-duty Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker. Bail was set at $25,000 monetary for each defendant, with both later posting 10% cash bail ($2,500) through the same private surety and being released pending further proceedings.
Preliminary hearings for both defendants are scheduled before Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli on July 29.