HOMER, NY — A 47-year-old woman is facing multiple charges after authorities say she assaulted two police officers who were responding to a structure fire.
Kyna K. Malchak, of Homer, was arrested at 1 a.m. Sunday and charged with two counts of second-degree assault, third-degree assault, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, resisting arrest and second-degree obstructing governmental administration.
According to the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office, officers responded to James Street in the Village of Homer on Saturday to assist with a structure fire.
Officers instructed Malchak to clear the scene for her safety and the safety of first responders fighting the fire, authorities said.
Malchak refused to comply and kicked and punched a female officer, according to the sheriff’s office.
The officer was also attacked by Malchak’s dog during the assault, authorities said.
Malchak also assaulted another responding officer with kicks and punches before being taken into custody, according to the sheriff’s office.
Both officers were taken to area hospitals and have since been released.
Malchak was arraigned through the Centralized Arraignment Process at 10 a.m. Sunday and remanded to the Cortland County Jail on $1,000 cash bail.
She is scheduled to appear in Town of Homer Court on March 3 at 5 p.m.
The fire is being treated as suspicious and the investigation is ongoing, authorities said.
The Cortland County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by New York State Fire and the Homer Police Department.
Additional charges may be sought at the conclusion of the investigation, according to the sheriff’s office.
