Mother, daughter charged with assaulting tow company clerk

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- A mother and daughter were arrested for allegedly attacking a pregnant clerk, but their pastor came to their defense and hurled some accusations of his own.

A worker at Crown Auto told News 8 the fence remains closed all the time so people don't drive off with their towed cars but last night they told police it was closed to keep 51-year-old Robyn Handy and her 24-year-old daughter Rojanna in the yard after they allegedly attacked the pregnant clerk, Ruth Zalabarria.

"She's doing good. She's doing good," the Crown Auto worker said of the pregnant clerk.

News 8 went to the Handy's home to see what they had to say about the alleged attack.

News 8 asked if these woman were dangerous and Pastor Donald Morris, of Life Kingdom Outreach Ministry said, "No, these women are not dangerous. These women are not dangerous. They are members of my church. They're family members."

Pastor Morris told News 8 Robyn and Rojanna Handy had gone to Crown Auto Monday night to get their PT Cruiser back because in September they had already paid a tow truck operator the 160 dollars owed in back taxes to the city. They say he gave them a Crown Auto business card as a receipt. They say when they showed that to the clerk Monday night, they were told it was lost. Police later found it ripped up in a trash can. Police also got a surveillance tape which reportedly shows the clerk being attacked. The pastor says it doesn't tell the whole story.

"The woman who was closing the gate pushed and hit Robyn first cause she was calling police and she was standing between the gate being closed and the woman tried to hit her and push her out and that's where it started," Pastor Morris said.

Robyn and Rojonna were arrested on assault and trespassing charges.

The car also remained impounded, police said.