Police: Woman threw coffee at meter maid

The Brookline Police Department said Krystle Charley, 23, of North Smithfield, R.I., approached parking enforcement officer Claire MacPherson, 64, Tuesday while the veteran officer was filling out a ticket for the suspect's Jeep, which MacPherson said was parked at an expired meter, the Boston Herald reported Wednesday.

Traffic supervisor Sgt. Paul Kelliher said MacPherson explained the situation to Charley and the woman responded by throwing her $1.85 cup of java from Cutty's coffee shop at the officer's waist.

Charley then got into her vehicle and drove away, Kelliher said.

Sgt. Robert Disario said police caught up to Charley while she was sitting on a park bench with a friend. She was arrested and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. She was released Tuesday evening after posting $40 cash bail.

Disario said MacPherson, who was not scalded, finished her shift with soggy trousers.

"She was given the option of calling it a day, and she said, 'No, I've got a job to do,'" he said.

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