Springdale couple charged with assaulting police officer responding to domestic incident

A Springdale couple is charged with aggravated assault and disorderly conduct, accused of attacking a borough police officer called to their apartment for a domestic incident, according to a criminal complaint.

Springdale police Officer Larry Bonazza said he was punched and bitten during the incident and was taken to a hospital as a result of his injuries, the complaint said.

Bonazza said he was called to the couple’s Rosslyn Avenue apartment Nov. 19.

He spoke with Mark A. Hartle, 29, at the door, who told the officer that his live-in girlfriend, Lauren Elizabeth Knapp, 34, was drunk and refusing to leave.

Bonazza went inside the apartment and tried to speak with Knapp, but she was uncooperative, he said. He said he asked Knapp to leave, but she refused.

When Bonazza tried to physically remove Knapp and place her under arrest, she began to try to hit and kick him, according to the complaint.

Bonazza said Knapp punched him twice in the face as he attempted to place her in handcuffs. He was able to tackle her to the floor, but she continued to struggle with him, the complaint said.

Bonazza told Knapp numerous times to stop resisting, but she ignored him, according to the complaint. At one point, the officer said, Knapp bit him on his left inner forearm.

Bonazza said Hartle tried to stop Bonazza from arresting his girlfriend by yelling and pushing him. Bonazza said he told Hartle multiple times to back up, but he refused. Hartle also took video of the incident with his phone, according to the complaint.

Knapp continued to resist arrest even when another officer arrived to help Bonazza, according to the complaint.

Both officers eventually were able to handcuff her, and she was placed in a patrol vehicle, the complaint said.

Hartle continued to interfere throughout Knapp’s arrest, according to the complaint.

Bonazza said he suffered cuts and swelling to his face, and had a bite mark on his left forearm. He was taken to a hospital by paramedics.

Knapp was taken to the New Kensington police department lockup before being transferred to Allegheny County Jail.

Police said, on the way to the police department, Knapp banged her head, kicked the cage in the patrol vehicle, and threatened to kill police officers.

Hartle and Knapp were released on a nonmonetary bond.

Hartle faces additional charges of hindering apprehension and obstructing justice. An attorney isn’t listed in online court records. Knapp also is charged with terroristic threats, simple assault, reckless endangerment and resisting arrest, according to online court records. Her attorney, David Allen Regoli, didn’t immediately reply to a phone message seeking comment.