Facebook fracas led to tire iron attack, arrest, police say

Jenna M. St Pierre (Rochester Police photo)

ROCHESTER - Police say a Rochester woman was arrested Wednesday after she went looking to settle a Facebook score by punching a River Street acquaintance, hitting her in the head with a tire iron and threatening her with a pocket knife.

Jenna M. St Pierre, 30, of 14 Harvard St., was charged with second degree assault, three counts of simple assault, two counts of criminal threatening and resisting arrest in connection with an alleged early morning confrontation with the victim over recent Facebook posts.

The confrontation evolved after St. Pierre and the 30-year-old female victim, who resides on River Street, began arguing over a Facebook post, according to Rochester Police Capt. Jason Thomas. He said that argument moved to just them posting back and forth on Facebook Messenger, with that back and forth going on for a couple of hours.

Then around 3:15 a.m. St. Pierre arrived at the victim's residence and found her outside clearing snow off her car, and the two ended up fighting, said Thomas, who noted St. Pierre had arrived with a tire iron in her hand and a folding knife in her pocket.

Police were called as the melee began, but upon arrival St. Pierre had already left on foot.

Police found her on Maple Street about two streets away.

After a brief investigation St. Pierre was arrested and charged with felony second degree assault, for striking the victim in the head with a tire iron (no serious injuries); resisting arrest or detention (Class A misdemeanor), for walking away after the officer detained her; felony criminal threatening, for opening a pocket knife toward the victim; criminal threatening, for telling the victim she would do her bodily harm; and three counts of simple assault (Class A misdemeanors), for striking the victim with her fists.

St. Pierre was bailed on $3,500 personal recognizance with an arraignment date at Strafford Superior Court later this month.