Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh announced on Monday that Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Tom Teodosio sentenced Yolanda DeBruce, 48, of Akron, to 10 years in prison for nearly running over a police officer.
Teodosio also suspended DeBruce’s license for 20 years.
On Friday, DeBruce pled guilty to felonious assault, failure to comply, and robbery.
On December 12, 2015, a Tallmadge police detective was off-duty, but still in uniform, at the Giant Eagle on West Avenue in Tallmadge when store security alerted her about a shoplifter. The officer followed the shoplifter, identified as DeBruce, to the parking lot and ordered her to stop. DeBruce got into her minivan, sped toward the officer, and nearly ran her over. DeBruce then led officers on a chase until she was eventually caught. The officer was not injured in the incident.
DeBruce has a long criminal history, including convictions in numerous felony and misdemeanor cases.
