Woman arrested for fleeing police in stolen vehicle, hit and run in Ventura

VENTURA, Calif. - Ventura police arrested a woman Friday afternoon for allegedly stealing a vehicle and swiping the side of another car while fleeing from officers.

Police said around 11:20 a.m. they received a call reporting a vehicle had been stolen at the Roadway Inn.

The victim told officers they attempted to stop the woman from taking the car by trying to remove the keys, but the woman reportedly drove off while the victim was still holding onto the car.

While responding to the scene, police said they spotted the stolen vehicle being driven on Thompson Boulevard near Kalorama Street and attempted to pull it over, but the driver fled from them at high speeds and moved to the wrong side of the road, swiping the side of another vehicle that was stopped at a traffic signal.

Police decided to end their pursuit in order to minimize danger to the public.

A short time later, officers said the vehicle was spotted driving on Harbor Boulevard at Sanjon Road. After attempting to pull over the car again, the driver sped away at high speeds. At that time, the vehicle had last been seen driving north of Ventura Avenue from Main Street.

A Ventura County Sheriff's helicopter was requested to search for the driver from the air while officers searched from the streets. Police said they received a report from a citizen in the area who saw a vehicle matching the description of the stolen car parked in their carport on the 100 block of Ramona Street.

The helicopter responded and confirmed the stolen vehicle was there.

Officers arrived a short time later and found that the driver had already fled the scene. The stolen vehicle was recovered, however, and returned to its owner.

Police said about 40 minutes later, they spotted the driver walking in the downtown area. She was arrested immediately without further incident and booked at the Ventura County Jail for carjacking, evading police and hit and run as well as a warrant.

A search of Ventura County Superior Court’s website showed the woman has a lengthy criminal history with convictions for vandalism, domestic violence, violation of a domestic violence restraining order, battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, bringing drugs into a jail, petty theft, destroying evidence and being under the influence of drugs.