Cops: Hempfield woman threw hot coffee on trooper at Youngwood restaurant

A Hempfield woman is in the county prison because she threw a cup of hot coffee on a state trooper, according to police.

Sonya R. Connors, 52, was arraigned before District Judge Tony Bompiani on charges of aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, harassment, resisting arrest, retail theft and simple assault after the incident at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Burger King in the Youngwood Commons Plaza.

Restaurant workers called state troopers after Connors entered Burger King, walked into the kitchen, poured herself a cup of coffee and attempted to leave without paying, Trooper Robert Martin said in court documents.

When a worker confronted her, Connors began “screaming and yelling” at employees and pushed one who confronted her before running into a nearby store.

When troopers Troy Parsley and Robert Taylor went to the store to find Connors, Martin said she attempted to run again, but Taylor grabbed her left arm.

“She then threw a full cup of hot coffee from her right hand onto Trooper Taylor in an attempt to get away,” Martin said in court documents.

Parsley and Taylor, who was not seriously injured, subdued Connors and handcuffed her.

In addition to the $1.49 cup of coffee, Connors is accused of stealing a $2.69 juice drink, which she consumed before troopers arrived, reports said.

Bompiani ordered Connors held in the county prison in lieu of $10,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing scheduled Jan. 14.