Scuffle with policeman in Export judge's office results in arrest of Delmont woman

A Delmont woman who showed up at a district judge’s office several hours late for a hearing on harassment and simple assault charges was arrested in the judge’s office for scuffling with a policeman, according to court records.

Export District Judge Charles R. Conway remanded Laurelann Kovac, 46, to the county prison without bond Wednesday when she was arraigned on a new charge of resisting arrest filed by Murrysville police.

After Kovac failed to show for her hearing at 10 a.m. Tuesday stemming for an alleged assault of two relatives in Murrysville Dec. 28, Conway revoked her $15,000 unsecured bail.

Conway noted in court records that Kovac was to have no contact with individuals as a condition of her release in the first case. After learning of allegations from police that she has continued to harass the individuals in the earlier incident, Conway issued a bench warrant for her arrest Tuesday.

When Kovac appeared at Conway’s office about four hours late for the hearing, Murrysville officer Brian Sadlowe saw her in the lobby and was aware Conway had just issued an arrest warrant.

“I approached Kovac and she turned her head and acknowledged my presence,” Sadlowe said in court documents.

When Sadlowe informed Kovac she was under arrest on the bench warrant, she reportedly resisted arrest, attempted to pull away and escape.

Sadlowe said he took Kovac to the ground in an attempt to place her in handcuffs, “but I had to use a substantial amount of force to prevent Kovac from escaping.”

He eventually was assisted by another policeman who happened to be in Conway’s office.

Conway scheduled Kovac’s next hearing for March 2.