32-year-old Ashley Howell was caught after attempting to escape from police officers in a stolen vehicle at Brothers Market on Kraft Street on July 13th. During the incident, officers tried to pull over a Maroon Dodge Challenger for having a license plate that did not belong to it. Officers pulled in behind the vehicle as it attempted to reverse out of the lot. Officers then activated their lights to initiate a traffic stop. The Challenger continued to reverse and fled the scene by speeding out of the parking lot into traffic. The security footage from Brothers Market revealed Howell as the driver and sole occupant.
On July 20th, officers located and approached the vehicle near Calumet Drive. After running the vehicle’s information, they discovered that it had been reported stolen in Nashville. Further investigation identified Howell as the suspect involved in the car theft. Officers learned they had interacted with her previously on March 24th. Upon reviewing bodycam footage from the March 24th interaction, they matched the pictures from Brothers Market using a nose ring and a birthmark or tattoo in front of Howell’s ear. Running Howell’s information also revealed a suspended license due to failure to pay fines, with the suspension still active as of August 12th, 2022. The vehicle was valued at $20,000, and a warrant was issued for Howell’s arrest.
On July 23rd, officers tracked down Howell near a residence on Tiny Town Road to serve the warrant. Upon spotting the officers, Howell attempted to flee but was caught a few apartments away. She said she did not want to go to jail and called someone for assistance. Howell was then taken into custody for driving with a suspended license, theft of a motor vehicle, evading arrest, and reckless driving on July 24th.
