GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) – A New Mexico woman is behind bars in Grand Island after authorities say they found her asleep in the back of a car that turned out to be stolen.
According to Grand Island Police Division Chief Dean Elliott, GIPD received a call Wednesday about a domestic disturbance in the parking lot of the Central District Health Department.
When police arrived they found Darla Smith, 33, of Thoreau, New Mexico, asleep in the back of a car. Officers said when they tried to talk to her she got out of the car and tried to move to the driver’s seat.
Smith did not listen to commands and started to resist officers before they took her to the ground, GIPD said.
Elliott said Smith was then willing to talk about the domestic disturbance, giving police the name of the man she says assaulted her. Police were not able to confirm his identity but are actively investigating the situation.
Elliott said that while Smith was talking to police, officers looked up the car she was driving and learned that it was reported stolen from South Dakota and that there was a warrant out for her arrest.
Police later learned that Smith is a convicted felon, or has prior domestic assault charges, and is not allowed to be in possession of a weapon.
According to Elliott, after placing Smith under arrest, GIPD discovered drug paraphernalia, open alcohol, 10 rifles, two pistols and a variety of power tools in the stolen car.
Smith was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, theft/receiving stolen property, false reporting, resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia.
She was not arrested or cited for having alcohol in the car because she was on private property.
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