An El Paso woman was arrested after she allegedly stole a car, led officers on a chase and intentionally crashed the stolen car into a police vehicle, authorities said.
Officers arrested Vanessa Loreli Ronnebaum, 25, on Wednesday, March 25, in connection with two counts of aggravated assault against a public servant, El Paso Police Department spokesman Officer Adrian Cisneros said in a news release. Ronnebaum was also arrested on suspicion of theft of property, evading arrest with a vehicle and driving while intoxicated.
Vanessa Loreli Ronnebaum
No attorney is listed in court records for Ronnebaum.
Two officers were injured in the incident. They were taken to a hospital for treatment and later discharged. The severity of the injuries was not released. The officers’ names have also not been released. They have only been identified as officers with the El Paso Police Department for three years.
Woman allegedly intentionally crashes into El Paso police car
Officers responded to a report of a stolen vehicle about 6:55 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, at a gas station located at 3001 North Yarbrough Drive near Album Park in East El Paso.
A 54-year-old man reported that his 2009 Chevrolet Equinox had been stolen after he parked and walked into the convenience store. Police later identified the suspect as Ronnebaum.
During the investigation, officers spotted the Chevrolet near Matamoros Drive and Giles Road in the Lower Valley.
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The officers attempted to pull over the vehicle, but Ronnebaum refused to stop and fled, the news release states. Ronnebaum allegedly drove eastbound on the westbound lanes at one point during the chase.
After a short chase, Ronnebaum allegedly “intentionally rammed the stolen vehicle into the driver’s door of a police unit, causing both vehicles to be disabled,” the news release states.
Officers arrested Ronnebaum. She was booked into the El Paso County jail on Thursday, March 26, on a bond totaling $115,000, jail records show. She remains jailed as of Friday, March 27, according to jail logs.
Aaron Martinez covers the criminal justice system for the El Paso Times. He may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso woman allegedly crashed stolen vehicle into police car