A 72 year-old Hillsborough man and his 35 year-old daughter were each convicted for aggravated assault, as well as other crimes against township police officers, for an incident that took place back in 2012.
George Teeple and Danielle Teeple were each found guilty of nearly all counts against them on Monday by a Somerset County Grand Jury.
According to officials, George Teeple was convicted of third degree aggravated assault, third degree resisting arrest and third degree terroristic threats, while his daughter Danielle was convicted of third degree aggravated assault, third degree resisting arrest, fourth degree criminal mischief, second degree escape and fourth degree throwing bodily fluids (spitting) on a police officer.
Danielle Teeple was acquitted of a fifth charge of second degree attempting to disarm a police officer.
“I am gratified that the jury convicted the defendants of the crimes they committed against two great officers who were performing their public duties and were injured as a result,” Acting Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. “The conviction sends the message that resisting arrest and assaulting police officers will not be tolerated.”
According to officials, the incident took place after 11 a.m. on May 14, 2012 when Hillsborough Police Corporal Brian McCarron conducted a motor vehicle stop of a pick-up truck and trailer in front of 122 Mountain View Road.
During the traffic stop, Mr. Teeple handed his credentials over to Corporal McCarron. Yet when Mr. Teeple’s son, Kevin Teeple, was asked to provide his identification, he refused and began to walk away from the traffic stop towards his home.
Corporal McCarron followed Kevin Teeple, now 40 years old, and again demanded his driver’s license. As Kevin Teeple continued to refuse those demands, George Teeple allegedly stopped the corporal in the driveway by putting his hands on the officer.
It was then that Corporal McCarron attempted to arrest George Teeple for obstruction. The then 68 year-old man resisted arrest and fought with Corporal McCarron, along with back-up Officer Jason Beverett.
During the scuffle, Danielle and Kevin Teeple emerged from the home and assaulted Officer Beverett.
As all three residents resisted arrest, Officer Christopher Englehart and his K-9 dog Fritz arrived at the scene. During the assaults, George Teeple repeatedly threatened Officer Englehardt and the police dog. Eventually, all three were placed in handcuffs.
Officials with the Prosecutor’s Office said Danielle Teeple “repeatedly spit in Officer Beverett’s face” as she was being taken to a marked police cruiser. Once in the back of the car, the Hillsborough woman kicked out a window and escaped before immediately being re-arrested by Officer Beverett.
Acting Prosecutor Robertson said, once the scene was secure, medical personnel from Somerset Medical Center and the Hillsborough Township Rescue Squad responded to the residence.
While awaiting medical personnel, George Teeple’s wife, Linda Teeple, drove around police vehicles and into the driveway in a careless manner. Police said Linda Teeple then got out of her vehicle and refused to obey police. As a result, she was also taken into custody and charged with several disorderly persons offenses which are currently pending in municipal court.
As a result of the struggle, Corporal McCarron sustained “career-ending injuries” that needed surgery, according to police. Officer Beverett also sustained injuries and missed approximately nine months of work.
“The criminal conduct committed by these defendants against uniformed law enforcement warrants the most severe sentence available,” Acting Prosecutor Robertson said.
The Teeples remain free pending sentencing scheduled for 9 a.m. on Friday, March 3.
A conviction to a crime of third degree carries a potential sentence of incarceration between three and five years in state prison.
Danielle Teeple’s conviction on the charge of second degree escape required a mandatory state prison sentence of between three and ten years.
