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Woman arrested after traffic stop
Staff writer
A South Franklin Township woman was arrested on a number of charges including driving under the influence of alcohol and escape after a traffic stop on Interstate 79 in South Strabane Township.
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Burig refused to follow instructions and put her hands on the hood of the cruiser, police said. When Bell tried to place her in handcuffs, she also resisted.
Bell warned Burig that if she did not comply, he would have to use the Taser. Burig ran to her vehicle. Bell attempted to use the Taser twice as Burig ran around her car two times, court records indicate.
Burig got into the driver's seat of her car and tried to close the door, but Bell blocked the door with his foot. He forcibly removed her from the car. He was able to place her into custody after getting assistance from other officers.
Her blood-alcohol content was determined to be twice the 0.08 percent limit presumed for intoxication.
She was arraigned before District Judge Curt Thompson on charges of DUI, reckless driving, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, simple assault, reckless endangerment, escape, public drunkenness, failure to observe lane restrictions, careless driving and harassment. Burig was released from Washington County Jail Friday morning after posting $500 of a $5,000 percentage bond. A preliminary hearing is set for Thursday before District Judge Jay Weller.
Nice : 7/26/2008
And this is who you want selling the most important investment you will ever own?......Shame on you for not ever growing up! Get some some help before you crash and burn!
Rebecca C. Burig : 7/26/2008
Congratulations Rebecca. I'm sure you'll sell a lot of houses now!
DRUNK DRIVING : 7/26/2008
What a shame. Not only was she drunk but she fought and harassed the poor police officer for just trying to do his job. This could have become fatal for the officer or for Rebecca. Please if you must drink please stay at home.
Too Bad : 7/28/2008
She wasn't tasered. I couldn't be a cop because of people like her. I would want to slam her so hard becasue of my frustration... so much respect to the law officers out there.
idiot : 7/28/2008
All I can say is WOW! What an idiot. This is a grown woman who probably has a family and a decent job. She should know better. It's bad enough to get a DUI, but to run from the cops and act like a fool, that's a whole different story. She sounds like she needs some help.
GET YOUR STORY STRAIGHT! : 7/28/2008
Obviously you are all IDIOTS for believing EVERYTHING you read! Do you not think there are possibly TWO sides to the story? Are you completely nieve to think that there are CURRUPT cops out there. It is pretty unbelievable that 5 grown men couldn't control a little 120 lb woman??? Think about it before you judge someone...I am sure you are ALLLLL perfect human beings. She will face the consequences of driving under the influence, but she did not deserve that treatment that she got from the officers (you know, the side the paper DIDN'T PRINT!!!) You should get a freakin LIFE, rather then sitting around (probably at a s*it admin 9-5 job hating your OWN life SO MUCH that you need to comment on other people's life over a blog) MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS, AND WORRY ABOUT YOUR OWN LIVES!
loser's for blogging : 7/28/2008
MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND GET A LIFE! don't believe everything your read! who are any of you to judge??? I am sure you are all perfect people that have never done a thing wrong in your entire lives!
??? : 7/28/2008
Why was my comment not shown???
Don't always believe what you read : 7/29/2008
liceI can't believe how narrow minded you people are. Especially the family of a police officer. "harrassed the poor police officer" I've seen Rebecca since this happened and what the police did to HER, was totally uncalled for , for a DUI. Rebecca has never been in any trouble with the law. She is a well respected women in the community. I think you people need to stop judging until you know the real story. Yes she was drinking and knows that it was wrong and will never drink and drive again, But think about if this was your daughter, granddaughter..everyone makes mistakes, however what the police did to her was something nobody should have to go through. Hopefully all of you will get to hear the real story that happened to Rebecca..one that is devestating to her and amusing to the police officers who think they are above the law. Rebecca was running for her life and I would have done the same thing if I was in her position. PS humblebut REAL.....u obviously don't know Rebecca at all or you would never make a statement like that...shame on you for being so judgemental...oops I forgot your perfect.
Too funny! : 7/29/2008
We, the O-R, have one side of the story ... the side that we took from the official document. we don't just sit around and make things up to fill page space. Oh and by the way, this is a story, NOT a blog! LMAO!
You're too funny.
Message to the ORP : 7/29/2008
So, it looks as if this is a message board that people can write their comments. However, you only allow the side that supports YOUR side. If this is how it is, then you should avoid a message board all together! what is the point if you need to defend a single comment??
Posting : 7/29/2008
No, that is not the case. I posted yours didn't I? I will post any comment that doesn't use vulgerity and doesn't break other policies that are posted in our terms and conditions.
Police Brutality : 7/29/2008
I hope that she sues and wins. She asked to see the officers badge and he refused. I sure most of you remenber the men that were possing as police officers? He shoulds loose his job. The officer lost control of the situation. Not good. Needs training. Oh, and by the way they did tase her more that once! So, none of you know what the heck you are talking about.
DUI is DUI : 7/29/2008
The bottom line is she broke the law and put the community in danger. If you are so concerned about her side of the story, maybe she should post it herself.
Her side : 7/29/2008
But can she remember her side? If you're impaired from alcohol, can you really remember what happened?
Police ABUSE Authority : 7/29/2008
Yes, the bottom line may be that she broke the law with a DUI, but THE POLICE broke the law by abusing their authority!!! I hear about situations like these all the time where these meathead cops think they are ABOVE the law! Is this the way you want the police "protecting" you???
DUI is DUI : 7/29/2008
At least the policeman was not drunk. and YES I would rather have them protect me than HER.
DASH CAM : 7/29/2008
I wonder if the State Trooper had a dash cam on the scene. IF so maybe we will see her on THE WORLDS STUPIDIST CRIMINAL'S on TV someday? You dont mention the FACT she put the community in DANGER when she was driving DRUNK. You just keep bashing the Trooper. Well next time a policeman is dispatched to your emergency, why dont you tell them how you REALLY feel about the police force?
wrong : 7/29/2008
to bad most of you dont know what really happened
Rebecca C. Burig : 7/29/2008
Why don't we hear comments from just the people that haven’t made a mistake?
: 7/29/2008
How did the "meathead" cops abuse their authority? By stopping her for drunk driving? And why didn't she comply with what he asked?
to TDADD : 7/29/2008
As a matter of fact, the DUI was mentioned. I am not justifying the DUI. That was wrong, and she should have been arrested for that. HOWEVER, the police are NOT the ones to punish her with police brutality, then FALSIFY RECORDS???? Tazer her 4-5 times, then not include that in the records?? SHADY! They could have KILLED HER! They are guily too! That is the point! DUI is guilty, and so are they! Maybe the COP will be on the news for thinking they can talk the law into their own hands....that is what COURT IS FOR!
Police drink and drive too : 7/29/2008
Just to let you know those of you who think police officers don't drink and drive too you're all crazy. I went to a graduation party last year and there was 75% state troopers at the party. They all drank....and heavily I might add, and guess what..they all got in their cars and drove home. Do you really think they don't drink and drive too??? GET REAL!!!.
"Meathead cops" : 7/30/2008
They abused their authority by having 4-5 cops there, THEN tasering her 4 times, and NOT INCLUDING IT IN THE RECORDS!?! You do not consider that ABUSING AUTHORITY??? You are a narrow-minded, and nieve to believe that this is the FIRST time this has happened! Needs to be controlled!
Shame : 7/30/2008
I think it is a shame that the newspaper feels the need to print stories like this in the first place. What good does it do for anyone? Will people actually learn a lesson from reading it? No, because you always think, as cliché as it is, it will never happen to me. And to those of you who feel the need to judge both Ms. Burig and the officers involved, shame on you, too. Yes, Ms. Burig made a HUGE mistake by drinking and driving, however entirely too many others make this mistake, including our very own sheriff. Does this excuse it or make it any less wrong? No. It does NOT, however, make Ms. Burig a horrible person deserving of the malicious things some are writing about her. As for the officers involved, I have faith in the law enforcement officials of our community and unless I have proof otherwise, I am going to support their actions in this situation. Some of you seem to find it unbelievable that it would take more than one officer, or a Taser, to restrain Ms. Burig. But take it from someone who has, unfortunately, been there before. I am a young, 115 pound female, who after a night of consuming entirely too much alcohol (resulting in a BAC of .23), had to be wrestled to the ground by a 250+ pound police officer and subsequently hand cuffed and thrown over his shoulders in order to be taken to the hospital. I will not go into the details of why this happened, because that is another lesson in itself. And I’m sure there are those of you doubting me and wondering, how do I remember this if I was so intoxicated? The truth is, I do not remember everything, only bits and pieces. My best friend, however, witnessed the whole thing, and the officer later had the unpleasant job of recounting the story to my parents. What did they do? They thanked him for doing his job and keeping me from harming myself and possibly others. So unless you were there, you do not know what happened. You should just be thankful that Ms. Burig is safe and did not harm anyone else and that the officers did their job to protect the community. Yes, shame on Ms. Burig for drinking and driving. And if proof comes out that the officers acted inappropriately, I will be the first to say, shame on them. But until then, both Ms. Burig and the officers will continue to have my respect.
oh what a pity : 7/31/2008
so we're told not to believe everything we read? but instead are to believe the accounts of friends of a drunken women? so everyone defending her was there right? oh no, but she told you so.....I guess people with substance abuse problems don't lie. They always tell the truth, right? Plain and simple, she obviously didn't cooperate with police. Many people get DUI's and handle it differently. Just because you think your crap don't stick and your the queen of washington county, doesn't give you the right to resist arrest. Take the sobriety test, get cuffed, admit your wrong. Don't act like a fool and run around. But wait, i forgot she was running for her life....haha. She was drunk. No good judgment, and now has to live with it. She wants to place the blame on someone else.
Rebecca Burig : 8/1/2008
none of you know the real story at all, so NOT one of you have the right to judge her, yes she she made a mistake, drinking and driving is illegal, but she was abused. The cops used excessive force and definatly unnecessary. No way does it take 3-4 state cops to restrain a women, let alone be taserd and hit. She acted out of reaction, she panicked. I know Rebecca is an imporant person in this town, and this is embarrasing enough, but the cops did not have the right to abuse to that extent. That is out of line. And just because this happened, does not change who she is. She is a wonderful person, and this mistake does not define her at all.
It's time to stop this!! : 8/1/2008
John 8:7--"If anyone of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her" said Jesus.
Burig : 8/1/2008
Shame on the Observer Reporter! When did this family oriented magazine become a useless tabloid?
Rebecca Burig : 8/1/2008
She was in fact tasered unnecessarily...there is no way a man or even 3 men cannot control a women of Rebecca's size. Yes she made a mistake, a DUI is illegal and honestly dumb. But she did it, its over, but she did not deserve the abuse she faced after. She asked, for her own safety, to see his badge and he got mad then lost control of the situation. Rebecca is a wonderful person, and the only people who even have the right to comment on this article are people who know her. One mistake does not define someone.
O-R : 8/4/2008
Since when did the Observer-Reporter become a tabloid magazine? Why don't you stick to real news and leave the gossiping to the housewives. Just when I thought the media couldn't get anymore pathetic, they did. They only thing worse is the "holier than thou" bloggers who have nothing else better to do. You are all sad.
Money : 8/5/2008
Oh I'm sure her money will buy her out of this problem, I wonder how many of those "poor Rebecca" notes came from friends and family trying to make it seem like she was the victim. You Drink, get drunk, DON'T DRIVE, its that simple. Get help Rebecca
Rebecca Burig : 8/5/2008
This is not a case of "Police Brutality", just an intoxicated woman out of control. If you are not certain it is a real officer of the law pulling you over, drive to the nearest police station or use that cellphone to call 911 and verify your safety. Why would you roll down your window, or worse yet, get out of your car?? This traffic stop was clearly done by an identifiable police officer. If you do as you are told, no taser is necessary. Police officers lay their lives on the line everyday, and many times women are perpetrators as well as men. Women are no longer fragile little flowers and if my husband were a cop, I would not want him to let down his guard, just because it's a woman he has pulled over. Do as you're instructed and there will be no problem. Everything stated in the police report was fact, there was no impropriety or hidden circumstances. There are lots of drivers who have been drinking, when it draws attention, you've had too much and SHOULD be stopped.
Some people are not smarter than a 5th grader... : 8/5/2008
I've been scanning these messages and by the looks of the grammer and spelling mistakes, the bloggers on this site need to worry about something other than bashing a respected citizen (such as your EDUCATION and APPEARANCE). Her story should not have been on the front page to begin with. It seems like the article, as well as the blogger responses, are due to the fact that Rebecca is successful.
Well Educated : 8/6/2008
Maybe you should educate your friend Rebecca on the dangers or drinking & driving.
Burig : 8/7/2008
If you've ever met Rebecca, you wouldn't be surprised that she provoked the cops like this. She is a bully in her profession, and now it came back on her.
DUI Arrest : 8/7/2008
Police officers are trained to use force when the offender creates the environment for officers to do so. None of use were there to see what had happened, so we have to wait and hope that the judicial side of our government sorts all of this out. THe bottom line is that you should do what an officer requests you to do. The actions of the officer were from the direct result of the offender's behavior. Even if the District Attorney's Oddice opts to remove most of the charges against her, I'm sure Mrs Burig has already learned an important lesson. And by the way, suing the police department does not make her look like any more of a victim, it merely makes her look desperate by attempting to shift the focus of the incident and putting the blame on someone else. I wonder if she will be able to keep her real estate license after this plays out!!
Rebecca Burig DUI : 8/7/2008
I can't say I was shocked by this. She sold our house, and my husband and I, while impressed with her ability to move a house, were definitely not impressed with her attitude. It was clearly Rebecca's world, and the rest of us are just living in it. Rebecca gets what Rebecca wants. So add a little alcohol to the mix, and the result isn't surprising at all. I'm just glad she didn't kill someone.
Really : 8/12/2008
This isn't the first time this woman has shown bad judgement, she just has alot of people fooled, well maybe not any longer. The police were just doing their jobs so give it a rest.
Witness? : 8/13/2008
I truly hope this woman isn't dumb enough to try to sue the police. There were several police officers there, and her. Who does she think will help her defend herself - she was twice the legal BAC level, so how on earth does she think she's going to testify on her own behalf? She was too plastered to remember anything. This pompous woman is unreal!
