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Poland melee leads to charges

POLAND — A Poland Township couple is facing charges after neighbors alleged they were “terrorized” by them.

According to a police report, officers arrived at a home in the 2300 block of Bedford Road regarding threats around 9:45 p.m. Monday.

Jacqueline Kliem, 27, and Matthew Hutzel, 34, allegedly shouted at the neighbors. Upon their arrival, officers heard both Kliem and Hutzel shouting and using profanity. They appeared to be drunk and disorderly, the report states.

A small group gathered in Hutzel’s back yard, which was observed from a neighbor’s yard. Men were heard making comments toward the officers, and Hutzel was seen urinating in front of children. He later admitted to it, and said he “owned” the kids, the report states.

Police say that Hutzel managed to record the incident with his cellphone, which included “his own disorderly behavior.”

He told police that he wouldn’t give a passcode to the phone, in which officers told him it would delay the process to have the phone returned to Hutzel.

As officers attempted to take Hutzel into custody in a police vehicle, Kliem charged at the victims, running into a woman and injuring the woman’s arm and knocking a man over.

Another man told officers he was kicked in the face when Kliem dove at the group, sitting on a stoop.

Hutzel pulled from officers and also charged toward the victims, leading officers to intend to use pepper spray on Kliem. She continued assaulting the victims. Pepper spray was used on Hutzel but also impacted an officer, the report states.

Medical personnel were called to assist all the victims and suspects. Additional law enforcement also was called, as an officer began chasing Kliem on foot, the report states. Five agencies were on scene — Poland Township, Poland Village, Coitsville Township, Campbell and Springfield Township.

Surveillance footage shows Kliem’s 12-year-old daughter following her into the attack, then running with her on foot.

Ultimately, both were placed in cruisers.

Both Kliem and Hutzel were taken to the Mahoning County jail.

Kliem’s daughter was released to family and the incident was reported to child protective services.

According to jail records, Kliem was held on charges of felonious assault, retaliation, aggravated trespassing, obstructing official business and resisting arrest. Hutzel was held at the jail on charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and intimidation of a public servant / party official.

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