By By Andrew Garner
A misdemeanor offense turned into a Class C felony in just a few hours for a Florida woman who attempted to elude local authorities in a high-speed chase that ended on Pinewood Road Thursday.
Tiffany R. Wiggins, 21, of Walnut Hill, Fla. has been charged with escape in the third degree and reckless endangerment.
Wiggins' other minor charge was theft of property in the third degree, which is a Class A misdemeanor, according to the Alabama Municipal Code.
Andalusia Police Chief Wilbur Williams said that Wiggins came in to the police department and confessed to the theft charges.
"She [Wiggins] was very cooperative with us," Williams said. "The suspect gave a statement and wanted to make sure she could get somebody to bond her out on the theft charge."
Williams said the chase began while officers were transferring Wiggins to another building at the department.
"She asked an officer if she could get a phone number out of her car," Williams said. "Wiggins didn't come back and instead got in her car and drove away."
Williams said that Wiggins, while being chased, committed several traffic violations in Andalusia and River Falls.
After eluding police in Andalusia, the River Falls Police Department picked up the scent after making contact with the suspect.River Falls Police Chief Jeff Holland said that first contact occurred on U.S. Highway 84 going into River Falls.
"I made contact with the individual at the Gitty Up-N-Go gas station in River Falls and attempted to stop the vehicle," Holland said. "She refused to stop and we chased her through Andalusia on the bypass."
The chase ended shortly after on Pinewood Road when the suspect lost control of the vehicle.
"There were speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour," Holland said. "I am just glad everything turned out the way it did with nobody getting hurt."
Holland said that every law enforcement agency did an excellent job during the chase.
The Covington County Sheriff's Department, Andalusia Police Department, Alabama Beverage Control Board and the River Falls Police Department were involved in apprehending the suspect Thursday.
Included with the escape and reckless endangerment charges, Wiggins will face all of the traffic violation charges additionally.