Photo by James Short.
Police said defendant resisted arrest, damaged equipment and struck officer in parking lot of American Heritage Credit Union
A Souderton woman is facing accusations including public drunkenness and assault of a Lansdale Police officer following an incident in the parking lot of American Heritage Credit Union last Tuesday.
Ivania C. Velasquez, 41, of the 200 block of Parkview Drive, was charged Wednesday with felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor resisting arrest and public drunkenness, according to court documents.
Officers responded to the credit union at 750 E. Main St. at 6:14 p.m. March 31, for a report of a woman stumbling, falling, and lying in the parking lot of the branch, which still had active vehicular traffic. Upon arrival, officers found Velasquez on the ground, where she told police she decided to “get f---ked up” today, police said.
Police said Velasquez could not stand up without falling over and her speech was slurred, as well as exhibiting bloodshot, glassy eyes and a strong odor of alcohol on her.
Velasquez allegedly would not cooperate with officers and was incoherent. She refused medical attention from EMS personnel and a hospital transport, police said. She was taken into custody for public drunkenness at 6:24 p.m. When told to place her hands behind her back, as she was under arrest, she allegedly refused and actively resisted being placed in handcuffs by holding her arms down.
Police said she continued to fight with officers while lying down, but was eventually placed in handcuffs. Velasquez continued to thrash her body around and would not stand up, even with assistance from officers, police said.
Velasquez allegedly continued to flail her body around and refused to walk to the police car on her own. In process of trying to raise her from the ground, an officer’s body camera was dismounted from the uniform and Velasquez stepped on the camera, police said.
While being put into the vehicle, Velasquez continued to kick her legs, and kicked a police sergeant in his face, police said.
According to court records, Velasquez was arraigned and released on $10,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is set for May 20 before Magisterial District Judge Edward Levine.
The day after charges were filed by Lansdale Police, Marlborough Township authorities filed numerous misdemeanor DUI charges against Velasquez, stemming from a Jan. 26, 2026 arrest.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
