Iowa City police say woman assaulted officers during OWI arrest

An Iowa City woman faces several charges after police said she kicked an officer in the face while resisting an arrest for operating while intoxicated.

Complaints from the Iowa City police department said Amber McCutcheon, 36, was found at the intersection of Benton and Capitol streets, slumped slumped over the wheel of her running car, at 1:30 a.m. Sunday. When the woman was unresponsive to officers, police said they placed the car in park through the open sunroof and opened the door.

The report said McCutcheon told police she had been drinking, that she appeared disoriented and smelled like alcohol.

When officers tried to place her under arrest, the complaints said she resisted and tried to pull away, struck officers with her hand in the shoulders and chest, kicked the squad car, and braced her legs to prevent being placed inside the vehicle. Reports also said McCutcheon resisted when she was being placed in restraints and kicked an officer in the face, causing him to bite his tongue.

Officers also found marijuana in McCutcheon's purse while she was being placed under arrest, according to the report.

McCutcheon was arrested on suspicion of assault on peace officers and others, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating while intoxicated, and interference with official acts.