Woman Arrested on Theft Charges Kicks & Screams Way Out of Court

Bristol Township police and constables were forced to remove a disruptive and clearly upset young woman from District Judge Robert Wagner Jr.’s courthouse on New Falls Road Tuesday morning.

While court was in session, Ashley Chell, 25, of Falls Township, sat in the holding room next to the court chambers. Inside – while she awaiting transport to prison on charges of retail theft, receiving stolen property, felony unauthorized use of an access card – she made a commotion.

In a rare move, Wager stopped court and went in to tell Chell to quiet down. She did not and the district judge asked law enforcement to take her to a Bristol Township police holding cell until she could be transported to the county jail.

Additional police officers responded to the courthouse and Chell, who was in handcuffs, was picked up and carried by three lawmen from holding room to the back of squad car. Despite the woman with the makeup smeared face putting up a fight, authorities were able to put her in the back of the car. She could be heard fussing from outside and began kicking the rear window.

A taser was used on Chell after she was taken to the police station on Bath Road after she created another scene, two law enforcement sources tell LevittownNow.com. She was later transported to St. Mary Medical Center for a minor unrelated medical issue.

Court records show that Wagner raised Chell’s bail from 10 percent of $25,000 to 10 percent of $100,000.

Chell was arrested early Tuesday morning and is accused of using another person’s credit card to purchase $509 in gift cards from the Walgreen’s store on New Falls Road in Bristol Township.

A clerk at the store said Chell tried to buy additional gift cards and cigarettes, but the card was declined, police said, adding that the clerk told them Chell began to “freak out” before leaving.

Police said they were called and found Chell. They spotted two packs of cigarettes, which may have been stolen from the Walgreen’s, as she got her identification out, according to police. They added that she denied the smokes were stolen.

According to police, Chell told officers the card used in the purchase belonged to a man staying with her and her boyfriend. She said the man offered to help with the household bills, police said.

Police asked Chell to produce a receipt for the cigarettes, two beach chairs and toys found in the back of her car. The 25-year-old showed purchase records for one pack of cigarettes, purchased a  gas station, and the three gift cards, court records show.

The young woman also removed several items that were marketed for kids. She told officers she did not pay for them because they were 50 cents each, police said.

Police recovered eight more suspected stolen items inside her purse, according to court papers.

Eventually, police spoke with the owner of the credit card. He said he was with Chell’s boyfriend and they had not seen the 25-year-old since 8 p.m. Monday night, adding he did not give her permission to use the card to make purchases, police said.

Chell has had several contacts with police in the past.