On October 9, 2014, at approximately 4:15 p.m., an off duty Department of Defense Police Officer called the St. Mary’s County sheriff’s department after he and several witnesses observed a vehicle passing a stopped school bus with red lights flashing.
Deputy Bowen responded Monterey Lane in California where he took statements from the witnesses.
Deputy Bowen made contact with suspect Joyce Marie Rulapaugh, 50, of California, at a residence located on Catalina Lane in California who matched the description provided by witnesses.
Rulapaugh refused to provide Deputy Bowen with her driver’s license and registration information so he may issue her a traffic citation.
Eventually, Rulapaugh retrieved her driver’s license only to hold it up in the air refusing to allow Deputy Bowen to see it. Deputy Bowen warned Rulapaugh several times if she did not provide the information to him she would be arrested. Rulapaugh ignored all warnings.
She subsequently resisted arrest and pushed Deputy Bowen. Rulapaugh was placed under arrest after a brief struggle.
She was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center and charged with Obstructing/Hindering, 2nd Degree Assault, and Resisting Arrest.