Woman who allegedly charged firefighters with van faces new assault charges

A woman facing charges for reportedly trying to run over first responders at the scene of a house fire in February was arrested last week for allegedly choking and pulling another woman’s hair during a March 22 confrontation at her home.

Margaret H. Rookard, 67, faces felony assault charges after she allegedly accosted the woman and accused her of rifling through her room and stealing some of her belongings, according to an Alaska State Trooper affidavit filed with the court.

Rookard reportedly choked the alleged victim with two hands — making it difficult for the woman to breath or talk — and then pulled the woman’s hair and again grabbed her throat, this time with one hand, according to the affidavit.

Rookard faces one count of third-degree assault, a class C felony; and one count of fourth-degree assault, a class A misdemeanor, in the March 22 case.

In February, Rookard was charged with three counts of third-degree assault and one count of resisting arrest after allegedly charging her van at firefighters and a police officer responding to a fire at her house.

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