79-year-old woman charged in cane attack
February 16, 2005
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- A 79-year-old woman has been charged with using her
wooden cane to strike police officers who arrived at her home to check on
her welfare.
St. Joseph County prosecutors said the officers came to investigate a
possible domestic abuse charge against Betty Chambers' live-in caretaker,
Thomas Holleman, 57.
As the officers tried to handcuff Holleman, Chambers allegedly struck
Officer Lonny Foresman over the head with her cane, prosecutors said.
Foresman suffered a mild concussion while Sgt. John Pavlekovich suffered a
separated shoulder and hand injury, said Jaimee Thirion, a spokeswoman for
St. Joseph County police.
Prosecutors charged Chambers and Holleman on Tuesday with resisting law
enforcement and battery.
"This is a serious concern because police are there to protect all of us,"
said St. Joseph County Prosecutor Michael Dvorak.
A phone number listed under Chambers' name at her address had been
disconnected.
[Homestead] 79-year-old woman charged in cane attack,
Melody O., 02/17/2005