Paw Paw woman faces several charges

By Paul Garrod
Staff Writer

PAW PAW TWP. – A 27-year-old Paw Paw faces several charges, including leaving the scene of a crash and resisting and obstructing police officers, after an incident, Tuesday afternoon, December 27, in Paw Paw Township, according to a press release from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.
Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott said that Sheriff’s deputies responded to 42nd Street near County Road 374 for a vehicle that had slid off the roadway and crashed. Deputies made contact with the driver, who showed some signs of intoxication.
During the investigation, it was found that the female suspect was transporting her young child in the vehicle and had been consuming alcohol. During contact with the suspect, she fled on foot from a deputy who chose to remain with the vehicle and young child for safety reasons.
Other units responded to the area including Sheriff Abbott, who followed the suspect through snow covered farmland for approximately one mile, before the suspect entered an occupied dwelling and attempted to hide in the garage. Sheriff Abbott made contact with the homeowner, who was frightened and stated that the suspect came into the house and then hid in the garage. The suspect attempted to flee the garage, however, she was taken into custody by Sheriff Abbott and deputies.
Sheriff Abbott said the woman also faces charges of driving while license suspended and probation violation, with additional charges pending.