Three charged in string of assaults in Franklin County

Authorities responded to a string of assaults across Franklin County over the weekend. 

Three people, a women and two men, were charged with simple assault in connection to the separate incidents. One person is accused of attacking a woman and stealing from her; another is accused of choking a woman; and the other allegedly injured a man at a treatment center for youth delinquents.  

Woman beat after alleged drug deal

Mindy Sue Bowers, 47, Waynesboro, is in Franklin County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail for charges of felony criminal conspiracy to engage in a robbery, felony robbery and misdemeanor simple assault, according to court records.

Chambersburg police were called at about 7:45 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2  to an apartment on East King Street, where a woman had been on the phone with 911 yelling that she had been assaulted, according to court documents. The woman told authorities she was assaulted by three women who came into the home after a narcotics transaction earlier that evening and stole several items, including money, medication and her wallet and cell phone.

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Police said the woman, whose face was bruised and swollen, identified Bowers as the "primary aggressor." 

Police also talked to a man at the apartment, who said he allowed Bowers and the other women to come into the home because he believed the woman had left. Bowers found the woman hiding in a bedroom closet and began to punch and choke her, the man told police. Bowers also allegedly found the woman's purse, and then handed it to another woman who stole items from it. 

Court documents do not say if Bowers had been looking for the woman in the house or what led to Bowers finding her. 

Documents state Bowers was taken into custody and admitted to authorities to going to the apartment with the intention of taking money during a narcotics transaction, and then assaulting the woman. 

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Bowers on Nov. 15. 

Man accused of choking woman

Tyrese Vaugh Hawkins, 19, Chambersburg, is accused of choking a woman during an incident on Sunday, Nov. 4, despite denying the allegation to authorities. 

Hawkins is charged with felony strangulation and misdemeanor simple assault, and cited with harassment, according to court records. He is in the Franklin County Jail, unable to post $25,000 bail. 

Chambersburg police spoke with Hawkins at his apartment on South Main Street after they were flagged down by a man at about 8:30 a.m. who said Hawkins had put his hands on his daughter. 

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Hawkins first told authorities he had been smoking marijuana, documents show, and then mentioned that he and the woman had been arguing at the residence. Hawkins said that at one point the woman was kneeling on the ground, and he pushed her down by the back of her neck. Hawkins also admitted to putting his hand around her shoulders, but said he did not choke her. 

The woman confirmed the two had been arguing, and said Hawkins had told her to get out. She also told authorities Hawkins pushed her from the back of her neck while she was packing her belongings, but added that he grabbed her by her neck and squeezed as they continued arguing, documents show. 

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Hawkins on Nov. 15. 

Treatment center resident accused of assault

Isaiah Matthew Kirby, 18, is charged with felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor simple assault, and cited with harassment. According to court documents, he is being held in the Franklin County Jail, unable to post $100,000 bail. 

State police were dispatched at about 8:17 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3 to the South Mountain Secure Treatment Unit in Quincy Township for a report that a resident had attacked a worker, according to court documents. 

The worker said the incident happened as he was opening the door to a room where Kirby's personal belongings were being stored so he could get some clothes. Kirby's belongings had been moved there following a previous incident, police said. 

More:Chambersburg man arrested for alleged marijuana 'grow operation,' police say

During this time, Kirby grabbed the radio off the man's hip, and said an expletive to him documents show. He then swung the radio by its antenna, and struck the man in the head several times. 

Police said they saw swelling and redness on the left side of the man's face, and confirmed what he said through surveillance footage. Kirby also admitted to taking the radio and hitting the man with it, documents show. 

South Mountain Secure Treatment Unit is a 48-bed secure facility located on the grounds of the South Mountain Restoration Center, designed for serious and habitual youth offenders.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Kirby on Nov. 15. 

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