PALMER, Neb. -- A woman from Mexico is in jail after authorities say she assaulted a sheriff's deputy. 

According to the Merrick County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy responded to Palmer to investigate reports of a suspicious woman entering businesses asking to talk with police.

A deputy said they tried to make contact with 50-year-old Gabriela Vargas Lopez.

After a brief interaction, the deputy said she became violent, irrational and defied orders to put her hands behind her back even with the assistance of Spanish-speaking bystanders. 

A news release said Vargas Lopez tried to run away from the deputy, resisted arrest and bit the officer multiple times.

According to reports, the deputy received several scrapes, bruises, and sustained a minor injury to the hands. 

It was reported that the deputy got medical attention for the injuries and was released from a local hospital. 

The Sheriff's Office said Vargas Lopez was in the Palmer area visiting friends and was under the influence of amphetamines at the time of the arrest.