EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio — A woman was arrested after allegedly stealing a car, fleeing from police when spotted and striking an officer during a pursuit in East Cleveland early Friday morning.
Around 2:20 a.m., East Cleveland officers were notified that a gray Kia had been stolen from a gas station on Euclid Avenue, police said.
Officers observed the car traveling at high speeds and attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver did not comply, turning from Thornhill Drive onto Arlington Road and then St. Clair Avenue towards Cleveland before changing directions and heading back into East Cleveland, according to police.
The driver of the vehicle, later identified as Laura Teele, stopped during the pursuit and put in the car in reverse, intentionally ramming an officer stepping out of his cruiser, police said.
The officer was not injured.
After striking the officer, Teele attempted to drive away once again but was pushed by a police cruiser into a group of parked cars, leaving her vehicle disabled.
Officers were then able to take Teele into custody.
Teele was found to have several warrants of multiple jurisdictions for traffic offenses and was named the suspect in stealing the Kia from the gas station, according to police.
Police charged Teele with felony fleeing and eluding as well as damage to city property. Charges for strong-armed robbery and grand theft auto are pending, police said.
