Ottumwa Police responded to multiple calls regarding a woman blocking traffic and causing a public disturbance.
On January 28 at approximately 5:46 p.m., the Ottumwa Police Department received multiple reports of a woman standing in the roadway near Roehmer Avenue and U.S. Highway 34 West.
Witnesses told officers they were forced to honk their horns and drive around the woman to avoid her as she blocked traffic. Authorities identified the individual as Rachael Austin, 50, of Ottumwa. Officials stated Austin had no lawful reason to obstruct the highway.
Law enforcement further reported that Austin was observed exposing herself to oncoming traffic. She was taken into custody on a separate offense.
According to court documents, while being handled by officers, Austin allegedly spit into the face of a fully uniformed police officer.
Austin is currently being held in the Wapello County Jail. She faces multiple charges, including two counts of assault on persons in certain occupations (aggravated misdemeanors), disorderly conduct, obstructing streets or highways (serious misdemeanor), and public nudity (simple misdemeanor).
As of the time of this report, no preliminary hearing has been scheduled and no bond has been set.
