Sunday, January 27, 2002

Joyride has consequences for underage driver in PTC

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

A 14-year-old girl out for a joy ride Monday faces serious charges after speeding away from a Peachtree City police officer at Harmony Village Apartments.

The youth originally stopped the vehicle on orders from Officer Vicki Roman, the courtesy officer at the apartment complex, said Maj. Mike DuPree of the Peachtree City Police Department. But as Roman crossed in front of the car, the driver accelerated and Roman managed to dodge the moving vehicle as it fled the scene, DuPree said.

The vehicle was later found in the Glenloch area by officers, DuPree said. Roman was not injured, he confirmed.

The driver, who was taken to the Youth Detention Center in Griffin, was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, reckless driving, reckless conduct and driving without a license. The passenger in the vehicle was released to family members after being charged with being an unruly juvenile and allowing another to violate a state law.

DuPree said that although Roman was not in uniform, she verbally identified herself as a police officer and showed her police identification and had her police radio with her. Roman was informed the driver was underage by residents in Harmony Village, DuPree added.

The vehicle belonged to a family friend of the passenger, DuPree said. The parents were not charged because they were unaware the car was taken by the youths, he added.



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