TAYLORSVILLE — A Utah woman faces misdemeanor charges after police say she sprayed an ice cream truck driver in the face with cleaning solution because she was upset about the driver’s prices.
Authorities in the Salt Lake City suburb of Taylorsville say 65-year-old Andrea Chavez told them she sprayed the woman because "she charges too much for ice cream." The incident happened Aug. 7 at an apartment complex. Charges were filed Monday, though the reason for the delay was unknown. A message left for Salt Lake County prosecutors was not immediately returned Tuesday. Police say the driver was briefly hospitalized after being hit in the eyes with Mean Green cleaner, a product described on its website as a blend of nontoxic, biodegradable detergents. Court papers say Chavez fought off Taylorsville police officer Mike Ikemiyashiro when he tried to take her into custody, threatening to "sock him in the face" and kick him in the groin. Salt Lake County sheriff’s office records show Chavez was booked into jail after the incident and held for three days. She was released when no charges were filed. By law, authorities can hold someone in jail for only 72 hours without filing charges. On Monday prosecutors charged Chavez with four misdemeanors: assault against a police officer, assault, interfering with an officer and committing a violent offense in front of a child. If convicted, she faces a combined punishment of two and half years in the county jail. An arraignment is set for Jan. 4 in Salt Lake City’s 3rd District Court. It wasn’t immediately clear Tuesday if Chavez had an attorney. A telephone message left at a listing under her name wasn’t returned.
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