By Maria Lockwood
The Daily Telegram
Ashla Marie Ojibway, 21, of Cloquet faces felony charges of battery of a police officer, attempted battery of a police officer and operating a motor vehicle without owner's consent. She also faces misdemeanor charges of resisting an officer, hit and run-attended vehicle, disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer for the incident. She made her initial appearance in Douglas County Court on Monday.
According to the criminal complaint, Ojibway stole a truck that had been left running. She drove the truck and attached trailer down area streets, hitting a beer truck and taking out a sign on the median of Hammond Avenue before coming to a stop on a dead-end street.
When the truck's owner caught up with the vehicle on foot, Ojibway got out and ran into the Superior Housing Authority building.
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Officers attempting to take her into custody were met with violence. Ojibway swung her hands, kicked and attempted to spit at officers while screaming a "seemingly endless" stream of profanities, according to the complaint.
It took five officers to handcuff and carry her out to a squad car, according to Superior police reports. She was then brought to St. Mary's Hospital of Superior for a blood draw. Officers placed the uncooperative Ojibway in a rolling office chair to move her from the squad car into the hospital, according to police reports.
While there, she had to be handcuffed to the bed because she was thrashing so wildly and attempting to kick officers and a nurse. She also bit and spit in the face of Sgt. John Nowicki.
After more than an hour at the hospital, officers brought Ojibway to the Douglas County Jail. On the ride she again became agitated and had to be removed by force from the squad car. She continued to be combative and verbally abusive to jail staff, the complaint stated.
Officers had to use a number of spit hoods, a blanket, ankle hobbles and handcuffs during the incident because Ojibway was so violent.
The Cloquet woman remains in the Douglas County Jail in lieu of $3,000 cash bail. Conditions of bail include no operating a motor vehicle without a valid license, no alcohol and no drugs or drug paraphernalia.
Superior Daily Telegram reporter Maria Lockwood can be contacted at (715) 395-5025 or by e-mail at mlockwood@superiortelegram.com .
