A Stuart woman has been charged with attempted capital murder of a law enforcement officer and multiple other charges, according to Patrick Sheriff Dan Smith.
The sheriff said the incident began on May 21 when the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office was requested by Henry County officials to locate two wanted suspects on Foley Ridge Road in the Pole Bridge area of the county.
Deputy Dustin Foley responded to that location and found the two suspects, who were identified as a married couple, Michelle Spencer Reed and Joshua Coy Reed, both of Stuart, Smith said.
Foley arrested and secured Joshua Reed and then attempted to arrest Michelle Reed, who was sitting in a full-sized pickup truck, the sheriff said.
Foley told Michelle Reed that she was under arrest, but she refused to unlock the doors to the vehicle and comply with the deputy’s commands, Smith said.
After negotiations with Reed failed, Foley broke the passenger window out of the truck and attempted to place Reed into custody.
Reed physically resisted, cranked the vehicle and attempted to run over Foley, Smith said.
Foley was able to jump out of the way of the truck without injury. He ran to his patrol car and started pursuing Reed.
During the pursuit, Reed allegedly drove head-on at Foley’s patrol car, attempting to hit it, Smith said. Foley was able to maneuver his vehicle to the right, barely missing a head-on collision, the sheriff said.
Foley pursued Reed for approximately half a mile, at which time Reed crashed and was taken into custody.
Both suspects were eventually turned over to Henry County officers on their warrants.
Smith said his office consulted with Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Vipperman, which led to the attempted capital murder charge. Reed was also charged with felony escape from custody, resisting arrest and reckless driving.
“Unfortunately, Reed has been released from custody on the original Henry County charges,” Smith said May 27. “She is now wanted on our felony charges, and we are asking for information from the public to locate and arrest her.”
Henry County law enforcement officers arrested Reed again Sunday and turned her over to Patrick County officers around 6 p.m.
Reed is being held in the Patrick County Jail without bond.
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