BAKERSFIELD — A 28-year-old woman was arrested on Wednesday night after stealing a car during a test drive and leading police on a high-speed chase through Kern County.
Rebecca Springston of Lake Isabella was booked into the Kern County Jail Central Receiving Facility on charges of carjacking, attempted carjacking, assault with a firearm on a peace officer/firefighter, possession of drugs/alcohol in prison/jail, bringing alcohol/drugs into a prison/jail, possession of drugs/alcohol in prison/jail, possession of a controlled substance, reckless evading a peace officer and driving a vehicle in the opposite direction of traffic. Her bail has been set at $250,000.
The Smart Auto Dealer in Bakersfield.
According to Bakersfield Police, the incident began when Springston tried to steal a silver 2007 Mazda 6 from Smart Auto Dealership in the 200 block of Oak Street at about 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 19. Police said Springston held a victim at knife point before releasing them at a nearby park.
Several minutes later a 911-caller reported that a woman was possibly under the influence of alcohol and almost hit a vehicle on Highway 178. “At about 4:56 p.m., officers located the stolen vehicle traveling east on Highway 178,” said Michaela Beard, spokesperson for Bakersfield Police Department. “Officers attempted to stop the vehicle near Miramonte Road, but the driver failed to stop and led officers on a pursuit.” Springston then drove the stolen vehicle further east on Highway 178, when officers discontinued the pursuit as she entered Kern River Canyon.
A short time later, officers said they were flagged down by a pair of victims who said Springston tried to steal their vehicle. The attempt was unsuccessful and she fled in the Mazda.
Police then observed Springston traveling westbound on Highway 178, where she nearly struck a Bakersfield Police Department patrol vehicle and again failed to stop for officers. “Officers then pursued Springston for approximately 20 minutes before her vehicle came to a stop on Highway 58 near Hart Flat Road,” Beard said. “She was then taken into custody.”
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KERO: Woman allegedly stole car during test drive
