A Mountain Home woman was arrested Wednesday evening after allegedly stealing a vehicle and leading law enforcement on a brief pursuit. Thirty-year-old Celeste Elizabeth Virga is facing seven charges, including two felonies.
The events started when a man called police to let them know he was following his vehicle, which he reported stolen earlier in the day and gave authorities his location. A short time later, Corporal Craig Gates of the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office saw the vehicle being driven at a high rate of speed on U.S. Highway 62B East in Mountain Home. Gates began pursuing the vehicle, but the driver refused to stop and was passing vehicles using the middle turn lane.
The pursuit went south on Cardinal Drive, after the driver ran a stop light. Virga then turned onto Mary Street, where she struck a stop sign and caused property damage. The driver continued on until she reached the end of Mary Street which is a dead end.
At this point, Virga exited the vehicle and took off running with Corporal Gates giving chase. After a short distance, Virga stopped and surrendered.
During a search of the vehicle, police found a vape pen with suspected THC in it. Virga confirmed to authorities that was the content of the pen, and she had used it prior to the pursuit.
Virga is charged with felony counts of theft of property and fleeing and misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, reckless driving, failure to maintain control and no liability insurance. Bond was set at $12,500.
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