The Limestone County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of a woman Wednesday after a destructive incident near the Alabama-Tennessee line.
Deputies with the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office and the Giles County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a suspicious woman in the Lester community around 3:30 a.m. Upon arrival, they witnessed a woman they believed was trying to steal a vehicle.
The woman, later identified as 43-year-old Bethany Paige Thornton Garcia of Athens, refused to comply with commands to stand down. While attempting to flee the scene, police said Garcia hit a Giles County deputy patrol vehicle twice and crashed through a garage wall.
Investigators said the damage on the scene was significant.
“This could have ended much worse and I’m proud of how our deputies and the Giles County team handled a volatile situation with professionalism and restraint,” said Limestone County Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin. “Their quick actions prevented further danger to the community. We’re grateful for our strong partnership with Giles County and thankful no one was hurt.”
Garcia was eventually handcuffed and taken into custody. She was charged with driving under the influence (DUI), third-degree burglary and first-degree criminal mischief.
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