BEDFORD – A woman who stole items from Walmart fled and refused to cooperate with Bedford Police Officers.
Police arrested 42-year-old Sarah Dent of Bedford on charges of resisting arrest by fleeing in a vehicle, theft, and resisting arrest by force.
According to a probable cause affidavit, on Tuesday, March 19, at 10:53 a.m. Bedford Police officers responded to Walmart after they reported Dent had stolen items from the store.
A store associate reported Dent got into a silver Ford Fiesta and was attempting to leave.
While turning onto John Williams Boulevard from Limestone Drive, Officer Lemke spotted the vehicle at the stop light. Dent was traveling east on John Williams Boulevard, so Officer Lemke initiated a traffic stop. However, Dent failed to pull over and continued traveling east on John Williams Boulevard.
Major Jeremy Bridges got behind Officer Lemke and attempted to pull next to the vehicle with his red and blue emergency lights and siren activated. Dent accelerated, traveling east at speeds above 60 miles per hour in a 40-mile-per-hour zone.
The pursuit continued east. When Dent approached the intersection of John Williams Boulevard and O Street, she attempted to turn north. However, another motorist was stopped to make a northbound turn in front of her.
Dent made a left turn at the intersection of O and 8th Streets, traveling west on 8th Street.
She then pulled into a driveway at 1521 8th Street and exited the vehicle.
Officer Lemke pulled behind the vehicle and attempted to detain Dent. She continued to disregard police commands and walked toward the front door.
When Officer Lemke reached Dent and attempted to grab her, she pulled away and ran toward the front door. Officer Lemke grabbed Dent and stopped her.
Major Bridges assisted, and Dent was escorted to the ground to be handcuffed.
Dent continued to fight with police and attempted to pull away, refusing to put her hands behind her back to be handcuffed.
Dent scratched and clawed at the officers. She was then TAZED so officers could gain control.
Several grocery items were found inside Dent’s front passenger seat. The store confirmed that those were the items stolen from Walmart. The total amount of stolen items was $27.61 before taxes. No payment was rendered. The grocery items were returned to Walmart and destroyed for safety purposes.
The store reported that this was not the first time Dent had stolen from the store. On Friday, March 16, Dent attempted to steal a cart of more than $500 worth of merchandise but was deterred by store security.
Dent was transported to IU Health Hospital for a medical evaluation and then to jail. She was also issued a no-trespass order, which prevents her from returning to Walmart.
