A 100 Mile House woman wanted for alleged crimes in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and her hometown was caught during an incident on the edge of Clinton after ramming an Ashcroft police car when leaving Logan Lake.
Around 10 p.m. last night (Feb. 16) Ashcroft RCMP was alerted that a vehicle was headed towards them from Logan Lake; it had been associated with fuel thefts, according to the police press release.
An Ashcroft RCMP officer spotted the vehicle, a Honda Civic hatchback, on Highway 97C. He attempted to stop the vehicle, but the suspect tried to dodge the police, eventually turning down a driveway.
With only one exit, the police officer moved to block the Civic in, but the suspect accelerated towards the police car, colliding with it and becoming wedged between a vehicle in the driveway and the police car.
"The officer emerged from his damaged cruiser and ordered the female suspect out of her vehicle," states Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey in the release. "The woman ignored the officer’s commands and continued to accelerate in an attempt to push through the blockade. She eventually turned off the vehicle's ignition, but when the officer went to reposition, she re-started her engine, suddenly reversed and accelerated towards the police officer and crashed through the blockage."
The RCMP officer was able to stay safe, jumping onto the hood of his car.
The suspect drove away, towards Clinton.
Officers in Clinton were alerted to her impending arrival and brought out a spike belt, according to the release. Officers set it up on the outskirts of the town, and successfully used it. The release states the woman was eventually arrested safely.
Now Diane Carol Priester, 44, is facing a list of charges, including:
- dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
- flight from police
- assault a police officer with a weapon
- resist or obstruct a peace officer
- possession of stolen property under $5,000
- possession of a break-in instrument
- 2 counts of breach of a release order
She's expected to appear in a Kamloops courtroom on Feb. 20, according to the release.
