26-02-2025
Police: Olyphant woman assaults officers, hospital staff
OLYPHANT — An Olyphant woman assaulted police officers and hospital staff as they were trying to assist her into a hospital bed, according to a criminal complaint.
Michelle Rizzi, 41, of 420 Lackawanna Ave., is accused of breaking into a neighbor's apartment, tipping over a refrigerator and throwing around dishes and other items before being transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital, Dickson City, for a bump on her head.
She faces felony charges of aggravated assault and criminal trespass.
According to the criminal complaint:
At about 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 24, police responded to the apartment building on a report of a woman who broke into a neighbor's apartment. When officers arrived, they found Rizzi shouting and being disorderly in the hallway outside the apartments.
Officers spoke with Jason Altemose who said Rizzi broke into his apartment because she believed he stole a package from her several days earlier.
Officers noted a tipped refrigerator, broken plates and a broken door in Altemose's apartment. Altemose said the two had been friends until the argument over the package.
Police put Rizzi in handcuffs and attempted to escort her from the building, but she resisted by twisting her body and raising her legs.
When an officer asked if she had taken any medications that might be causing her behavior, she said, 'You did not vote for Trump,' and followed with an expletive.
While Rizzi was at the Dickson City police station, officers noted she had a bump on her head and transported her to the Lehigh Valley Hospital, where she continued screaming obscenities.
Rizzi was placed in a hospital bed without restraints because she appeared to have calmed down. About 30 minutes later, she got up and tried to leave the room.
She was then placed in handcuffs and restrained to the hospital bed.
While restrained, she used her legs to kick and scratch police officer Clayton Devoe, causing his hand to bleed. She also assaulted hospital staff, according to the criminal complaint.
She is remains at Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $25,000.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. on March 10 before District Judge Paul Ware.
