Troopers: Woman accused of stealing Shelby police car, leading high-speed cross-county chase

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — A woman is in custody after allegedly stealing a Shelby police cruiser and leading officers on a high-speed chase late Sunday night, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

Authorities say the woman got into an open Shelby police car while an officer was speaking to someone else and took off. Investigators said she drove up Highway 74 from Shelby into Gastonia. She reached speeds of 140 miles an hour, according to police.

Troopers used stop sticks to flatten the car’s tires, and authorities said the woman then drove into the parking lot of the Mr. Tire on West Franklin Boulevard in Gastonia.

Investigators said she refused to leave the car, so when police tried to arrest her, they had to smash the window to do so.

The Highway Patrol says they are glad traffic was light on the roads at the time of the crash.

Channel 9 is working to learn about the suspect and what she is being charged with.

Check back for updates.

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