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Woman charged with assault

BUTLER TWP — A “suds missile” attack left two police officers sore but uninjured Sunday night.

The officers were hit with a shower of beer cans thrown from a second floor window of a Center Avenue apartment.

Police had to force their way into the home and arrest the alleged beer bomber, 48-year-old Diane Pusateri of Butler Township, who had barricaded herself in a bedroom, police said.

Pusateri, who faces multiple counts of felony assault, is in the Butler County Prison on $50,000 bail.

Police initially went to her home about 10:30 p.m. after she got into a disturbance with another woman. During that altercation, Pusateri hit Sandra Allen in her face and threw a can of beer at her head, according to court documents.

Patrolmen Thomas Vensel and Steven Hensel tried to get into the apartment but the suspect locked the door and peppered police with expletives, according to documents.

Pusateri’s temper continued to fume, police said, and before long it was raining beer after she allegedly tossed a full 30-pack of unopened Natural Ice out an upstairs window. Some hit their marks.

Sgt. Robert Murphy was struck in his head, neck and shoulders with full cans. Hensel was hit on the foot and thigh.

Police had to force open the door. Pusateri struggled with and kicked at the officers, documents said,

District Judge David Kovach was arraigned Monday on four counts each of aggravated assault and reckless endangerment, and charges of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and harassment

A preliminary hearing is set for 9:45 a.m. Oct. 4 before District Judge Kevin O’Donnell.

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