Ohio woman allegedly refuses to get out of vehicle, gets window smashed by baton, starts a chase and gets arrested

NOBLE COUNTY, Ohio (WTRF) — A Caldwell, Ohio, woman is behind bars after attempting to flee from a traffic stop in the early hours of August 3.

According to officials, Deputies with the Noble County Sherriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a white SUV for a moving violation and an obstructed license plate.

After observing multiple criminal indicators, the deputy instructed the driver, 49-year-old Melissa Johnson, to step out of the vehicle so a K-9 could perform an open-air sniff.

Officials say the deputies ordered Johnson to step out of the vehicle multiple times, but she allegedly rolled her window up and placed the vehicle into drive.

The deputy again ordered Johnson out of the vehicle and, after several refusals, struck the window with a baton, causing it to break.

Johnson then allegedly accelerated, nearly striking the deputy while trying to get away.

Officials say after a brief pursuit, Johnon’s vehicle appeared to have mechanical issues, causing it to slow down and stop.

Once stopped, the deputy performed a felony traffic stop, and Johnson was ordered out of the vehicle without further incident.

Johnson was charged with Felonious Assault, a first-degree felony; failure to Comply with an Order or Signal of a Police Officer, a third-degree felony; and Obstructing Official Business, a fifth-degree felony; and cited for Driving in Marked Lanes, which is a misdemeanor.

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