Pepper Spraying Incident By 70-Year-Old Results In 2 Felony Charges

ARLINGTON, VA — A 7o-year-old Arlington woman is facing two felony charges, including malicious wounding by caustic agent, after she pepper sprayed a man she prevented from exiting an elevator in a residential building, according to Arlington County Police.

Officers responded around 1:57 p.m. on Friday to the report of an assault with injury at a residential building in the 3000 block of Spout Run Parkway.

A man told the officers that a woman repeatedly stopped elevator doors from closing and prevented him from exiting the elevator, according to police. An argument ensued, during which the woman pepper sprayed the man, police say. Eventually, the man was able to exit the elevator and call police. He was treated for his injuries at that scene and then was released.

Responding to the Office of the Magistrate, the victim obtained criminal warrants for the suspect, who police identified as Ruth Aaronson Kile of Arlington. Officers arrested Kile at the scene.

Kile faces two felony charges, one for malicious wounding by caustic agent and the other for abduction by force and intimidation, according to court records.

The abduction charge is a Class 5 felony. If Kile is found guilty, she faces a possible sentence of one to 10 years in prison or confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and/or a possible fine of $2,500, according to the Code of Virginia.

On the malicious wounding charge, Kile, if convicted, potentially faces confinement in a state correctional facility a minimum of five years and a maximum of 30 years, according to the Code of Virgina. If the offense is determined to be unlawful but not malicious, she faces a possible sentence of one to five years in prison or confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and/or a potential fine of up to $2,500.