What started as a DUI arrest Wednesday night escalated into felony charges against a Butler woman who allegedly attacked her arresting officers.

Penn Township Police charged Joann Steele, 45, with two counts of felony aggravated assault as well as misdemeanors of DUI and disorderly conduct.Following her arraignment Thursday, Steele was placed in Butler County Prison in lieu of $5,000 bail, which she was not immediately able to post.According to charging documents, police received a call around 9:45 p.m. Wednesday about a woman who had accidentally driven off a road and then sped away.Police found the vehicle parked in the lot of a business on Pittsburgh Road, and they found and identified Steele as the driver.“The exterior of the vehicle was noted to have brush debris and recent front-end damage,” said the investigating officer in the affidavit. “When Ms. Steele opened the driver's door, large pieces of shrubbery were seen in the door jam.”Police said Steele performed poorly on a few field sobriety tests before she stopped cooperating altogether.“At this time, Ms. Steele dropped to her haunches and refused,” police said. “She put her arms out in front of her and continually insisted on the police to just take her to jail.”Police said Steele began causing a ruckus both in the police cruiser and as she was being placed into a holding cell.“During this time, she attempted to kick and bite officers,” police said.Police said Steele claimed she had injured her knee at some point during transport, so she was taken to Butler Memorial Hospital for evaluation. They said during that visit, Steele attacked a hospital security guard.“Ms. Steele once again became agitated and grabbed a security officer by the arm causing injury,” police said.Police said damage done to the officer and security guard was mostly from Steele's fingernails.Steele is scheduled for a preliminary hearing June 16 before District Judge Sue Haggerty.

Joann Steele