State trooper injured while arresting two in Germantown

May 21, 2009 - 7:25 PM

A state trooper was injured while making arrests during a dispute in Germantown this morning, state police say.

The trooper was responding to a call for a property dispute at a Route 9G home and encountered 29-year-old Lance Coleman from Hempstead, Long Island, according to State Police at Livingston.

Coleman, who was found in an agitated state on the front lawn, refused to comply with the trooper's requests and started interfering.

The trooper started to place Coleman under arrest when his female companion, 46-year-old Christine Scism, physically blocked the trooper from making the arrest.

Scism was pepper-sprayed and subdued, police say.

Coleman was arrested for second-degree assault, obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest. Scism was charged with obstructing governmental administration.

The state trooper was treated at Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson for contusions and pain to his back.

Police say the initial 911 call came from a resident at the Route 9G home who complained the Coleman and Scism had overstayed their welcome as guests.