Authorities say a Salisbury woman they believe was intoxicated had to be subdued after she kicked out a patrol vehicle window and repeatedly spit on officers.
The Salisbury Police charged Asha Moneice Rankin, 24, of the 700 block of Hall Street, with resist, obstruct, delay an officer; injury to personal property, disorderly conduct/disturbing the peace and failure to appear, all misdemeanors.
An off-duty East Spencer Police officer spotted a van parked at the intersection of North Long and East Lafayette streets with people inside arguing. Police went to the driver, who was later identified as Dawn Wright, and discovered she had no driver’s license.
The officer noted one passenger, Charles Everhart, had a cut above his eye. The officer asked if he was involved in a fight. Everhart responded that he had not. Another passenger, James Wright, was seated in the back of the vehicle along with Rankin, who told police her name was Mrs. Wright. Rankin was arrested after officers discovered she had an arrest warrant on file. The van was registered to Rankin, who became belligerent when officers did not charge her friends. Rankin began cursing at the other passengers in the vehicle. Dawn Wright was issued a citation for driving while license revoked.
Once Rankin was placed in a patrol vehicle, she kicked out a back window. She repeatedly spit on officers and on windows as they were trying to place her in handcuffs, a report said. Officers had to place a “spit hood” over Rankin’s head. The hood is similar in material to a pair of pantyhose. Rankin continued to spit into the hood and officers had to place a clean hood on her.
Rankin was convicted of simple assault, drug possession, larceny and resisting arrest. Rankin remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond.

Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253. Twitter: www.twitter.com/salpostpotts Facebook: www.facebook.com/Shavonne.SalisburyPost.