Above: Stock Image
A Fresno County woman is reportedly expected to face multiple charges after she allegedly stole a car, struck multiple vehicles, and led police on a pursuit, all while under the influence, according to a Clovis Police Department press release.
Shortly after mid-day on Monday, April 22, officers responded to the Walmart at Shaw and Peach after receiving multiple calls regarding a woman who appeared to be under the influence and causing a disturbance. When officers arrived, the woman reportedly got into one of the cars in the parking lot, backed into a police car, then struck a second police car head-on.
The woman then allegedly crashed into another parked car before driving away on Shaw, police said.
At one point during the ensuing pursuit, the woman struck “at least” one more vehicle, then another at Nees and First. This latter collision rendered the vehicle she was driving unusable. At that point, officers were able to take her into custody.
Officers searched the vehicle she’d been driving and reportedly located several keys belonging to different Kia vehicles.
Further investigation ultimately led police to a parking lot near the Fresno Yosemite International Airport, where they located two stolen Kia Niros, and two other Kias that someone had allegedly tried to steal.
The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Vanessa Sanchez, reportedly sustained minor injuries from the collisions and was hospitalized for treatment.
Once released, she is expected to be booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, evading, DUI, hit-and-run, vehicle theft, and attempted vehicle theft.
Sanchez was also arrested twice last month for two other alleged car thefts, police said.
