Huntingdon Valley Teen Bit, Scratched, Kicked, Groped Officers: Police

LOWER MORELAND, PA — A Huntingdon Valley woman is facing a slew of charges, including felonies, for allegedly assaulting Lower Moreland police officers as they attempted to arrest her for allegedly driving impaired.

Mercedess Grenader, 18, was arrested Sept. 26 and charged with a variety of criminal counts after officers say she bit, scratched, kicked and even groped them as they attempted to take her into custody for driving under the influence, according to police.

Officers said they were patrolling along Welsh Road just before 11:30 p.m. when they noticed a vehicle pulled over, improperly parked, with its four-way flashing lights on within a residential neighborhood.

Officers initially assumed the vehicle might have been broken down, so they made contact with Grenader, who appeared to be impaired, according to a police report. Officers also say they found drugs and alcohol inside the vehicle.

"While attempting to detain the defendant, Grenader became aggressive and fought officers, biting, scratching, kicking, and groping," the report states. "Grenader was eventually placed in the rear of a patrol car, continuing to kick officers while attempting to remove her handcuffs."

Grenader is being charged with aggravated assault and fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, both felonies, as well as misdemeanor counts of simple assault, resisting arrest, driving under the influence and marijuana possession, according to a criminal docket sheet from magisterial district court.

She also faces summary counts of careless driving, reckless driving, disorderly conduct and purchasing alcohol by a minor.

The record shows that Grenader was unable to post $10,000 bail following her arraignment on Sept. 27 and that she was subsequently remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.

A preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Jay S. Friedenberg has been scheduled for Oct. 11, according to court papers.