RIGBY — A Billings, Montana woman was arrested in Rigby after speeding away from police in a stolen SUV and trying to hide inside the locked car.
Kerry Lira, 42, is charged with felony eluding, felony battery on a peace officer, felony possession of a stolen vehicle and misdemeanor resisting or obstructing officers.
According to a news release from Rigby Police Chief Allen Fullmer, a Rigby Police officer was patrolling on U.S. Highway 20 under the North Rigby exit at 1:28 a.m. Tuesday, when they saw a white SUV, a 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450, speeding southbound at 83 mph in a posted 70 mph zone.
The officer attempted to pull the SUV over, but the driver reportedly accelerated to 130 mph before taking the 325 exit and trying to get away from the officer.
The SUV turned west on Menan Lorenzo Highway, then south on 4100 East.
The officer lost sight of the SUV near 680 North 4100 East.
While searching for the SUV, another officer reportedly noticed fresh tire tracks in a driveway and found the SUV parked in a backyard on the grass of an adjacent home.
Officers contacted the homeowner, who said they did not own a white SUV and that one should not be parked on their grass.
Lira was then found hiding in the trunk area of the locked SUV.
Officers gave Lira “several verbal commands to unlock and exit the vehicle,” according to the release.
A Jefferson County deputy was able to unlock the SUV using a Big Easy unlock kit.
Officers later learned that the SUV had been reported stolen out of Nevada.
According to the release, while Lira was being detained and placed into a patrol car, she “leaned down and bit the forearm of the arresting officer.”
Lira is expected to appear for a preliminary hearing on May 1. If convicted, she could face up to 43 years in prison.
Though Lira has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean she committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.
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