FAYETTEVILLE — A Fayetteville woman faces criminal charges after allegedly stealing a car with a baby inside.

Angela McGarrah, 27, of 1187 West End Ave., Apt. B3, was arrested on charges of felony aggravated assault, second-degree criminal mischief and possession of a controlled substance, along with misdemeanor second-degree false imprisonment, third-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Fayetteville police were dispatched to 209 E. Seventh St. just after 1:30 p.m. Tuesday to a reported vehicle theft and kidnapping. While on the way to the scene, officers were notified by Springdale police the suspect had been stopped in their jurisdiction. Fayetteville officers identified the driver as McGarrah. Inside the vehicle was a 10-month-old infant. Both McGarrah and the child were uninjured.

McGarrah was arrested at the scene and transported to the Washington County Detention Center.

She admitted to police to taking the car to get away from her boyfriend with whom she was fighting. McGarrah said she was initially unaware a baby was in the car. Both the baby and the car belonged to her boyfriend’s son.

McGarrah told investigators she found the child in the back seat after leaving in the car. She said she continued fleeing with the child for fear she’s be arrested for grand theft auto and kidnapping.

The baby’s father told police McGarrah never had permission to drive the vehicle. When he saw her enter the car, he reportedly yelled at her to stop and that his son was the back seat. He told police McGarrah sped away and nearly ran him off the road. The child’s father had to jump to the side to avoid being hit, the report stated.

As she fled, McGarrah allegedly swerved recklessly across the road, nearly causing an accident, according to police. After recovering the vehicle, the owner noticed the alignment was “off horribly” and that the car was hard to drive. He further noted the right rim was severely damaged and the front bumper was broken.

McGarrah was being held in the Washington County Detention Center on $79,500 bond Wednesday. She is expected to make her first appearance in Washington County Circuit Court on Friday.

News, Pages 3 on 11/05/2009

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