Great Bend Police Chief Steve Haulmark reports that a disturbance at the Salvation Army store on Nov. 18 eventually resulted in a woman’s arrest on charges of drug possession, driving under the influence, and assaulting a police officer.
According to reports, the GBPD dispatched officers to remove a subject at the Salvation Army, 2545 10th St., shortly after 3 p.m. last Tuesday. They learned that Leslie DeWitt, 49, had exhibited disruptive behavior in the business and had been asked several times by the store personnel to leave the property. Officers informed DeWitt that she was no longer welcome on the property, and she entered her vehicle and drove away.
A short time later, an officer observed the vehicle back in the Salvation Army parking lot and saw DeWitt exiting the store. She entered her vehicle as the officer approached to detain her. As the officer was standing between the open car door and DeWitt, she placed her vehicle in reverse and proceeded to back up, striking the officer with the door and briefly pulling him alongside the moving vehicle. DeWitt then drove eastbound on 10th St. at a high rate of speed. She was relocated and taken into custody a short time later.
After her arrest, K-9 Niko was deployed and alerted to her vehicle. A search of the vehicle was conducted and THC, opiates, and drug paraphernalia were located, the police report. During subsequent processing for DUI, DeWitt kicked, spit on, and attempted to bite members of the Great Bend Police Department. She was booked into the Barton County Jail on charges of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer (LEO), felony interference, felony DUI, possession of THC, possession of opiates, possession of drug paraphernalia, and assault on a LEO. Bond was set at $20,000.
The GBPD was assisted on this call by the Barton County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Highway Patrol and the Great Bend Fire Department.
Anyone with information on this incident or any other crime is encouraged to contact the Great Bend Police Department at 620-793-4120, Crime Stoppers at 620-792-1300 or online at p3tips.com.
