From James Halpin -- An Anchorage police officer talking to two men on a Fairview corner early this morning became the target of an irate woman who tried running him down with an SUV, police said.

She stopped when the officer darted behind his patrol car.

Margaret Andrew, 29, told rookie officer Nicholas Saldana she ran at him “because all cops do is bother other people,” police spokesman Lt. Dave Parker said.

In addition to a felony assault charge, investigation revealed Andrew was driving a stolen vehicle, she was drunk, and her driver’s license had already been suspended, Parker said.

It all took place at 12th and Gambell about 3:15 this morning. Saldana, who finished his field training Aug. 22, was talking to the men he had encountered on the street. It was not clear what the topic of discussion was, but Andrew apparently had no connection to the men, Parker said.

“It didn’t have anything to do with the woman,” he said. “As I understand it, she did not like the police bothering anyone.”

As the conversation continued, the driver of a GMC SUV parked across the street — later identified as Andrew — kept flashing its lights, police said. The tires then screeched and Saldana looked up to see the SUV barreling down on him, Parker said.

“Fearing for his life, Ofc. Saldana was able to take cover behind his patrol car,” Parker said in a statement. “The SUV stopped just short of hitting him.”

Saldana, who was not injured, arrested Andrew. She then informed him of her distaste for police interaction with the public and said she just wanted to distract him from talking to the men, police said.

She succeeded.

Andrew was charged with driving with a suspended license, driving under the influence, third-degree assault, and vehicle theft.

As she was awaiting booking into the Anchorage jail, Andrew had to be restrained by three officers after she tried to kick Saldana and charged at another officer, police said.

Her bail was set at $4,500. She is set to make a court appearance tomorrow.