WEST EARL TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT

157 W. Metzler Road

Brownstown, PA 17508

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer & Resisting Arrest

West Earl Township, Pa – A West Earl Township woman was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and resisting arrest after she assaulted West Earl Police Officers at her residence.

August 13, 2021 at approximately 3:30PM West Earl Township Police were dispatched for a welfare check at 88 Rosewood Drive, in Brownstown. Lancaster County Dispatchers reported the woman wasn’t making sense when speaking with them and could possibly be intoxicated.

Officers arrived and made contact with a Karen Banerjee (52YOA). Officers described Banerjee as being extremely intoxicated. The responding officers requested EMS in order to have Banerjee evaluated.

Banerjee become aggressive with the officers prior to EMS's arrival, even stating she was going to assault the officers. Banerjee then kicked one of the officers in the chest. As officers tried to restrain Banerjee, Banerjee continued to fight with officers kicking both responding officers in the chest and legs, scratched the officers, and left impressions in one officer’s hand with her fingernails. Banerjee was ultimately placed in handcuffs and transported to Ephrata Hospital for further medical evaluations.

Officer Jordan Byrnes charged and obtained a warrant for Banerjee. Banerjee was charged with (2) counts of Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer (F1), and (1) count of Resisting Arrest (M2).

Banerjee was released from the care of Ephrata Hospital and transported to Lancaster County Prison on the charges. Banerjee was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Keller, and bail was set at $10,000 dollars. Banerjee was unable to post bail and was committed to Lancaster County Prison.

The public and media are reminded that all criminal charges are merely accusations and all subjects are innocent until proven guilty.

Jordan Byrnes, Public Information Officer