W’burg woman facing felony charges for nearly hitting vehicle after she allegedly shoplifted

A Williamsburg woman allegedly turned a misdemeanor shoplifting case into a felony wanton endangerment case when she nearly struck another vehicle as she left the parking lot of a Canadatown store Sunday evening, according to a sheriff’s department release and her arrest citation.

Judge Fred White entered a not guilty plea Monday morning for Emilie Danielle Davis, 22, during her arraignment in Whitley District Court on charges of with theft-shoplifting, three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, one count of first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer, tampering with physical evidence, no/expired registration plates and no auto insurance.

White appointed the public advocate’s office to represent Davis, scheduled a Feb. 13 preliminary hearing, and set her bond at $5,000 cash.

The incident started about 8:17 p.m. Sunday when Whitley County E-911 gave out a complaint to law enforcement about a woman with red hair, who allegedly shoplifted from the dollar store in Canadatown. The 911 caller reported that she was driving a blue Buick LeSabre and provided the registration tag number on the vehicle, according to her arrest citation.

“It was also later determined that as she exited the parking lot of the dollar store she nearly struck a vehicle that was occupied by three people (two were juveniles). The driver that was almost struck was able to follow the suspect’s vehicle and provided important location details,” according to a sheriff’s department release.

Her arrest citation alleged that when she left the store, she left at a high rate of speed.

Sheriff Bill Elliotte was enroute to an administrative call when he heard reports regarding the dollar store theft, and intercepted the suspect’s vehicle on Liberty Church Road, according to the release.

Elliotte confirmed the license tag number was the same as the suspect vehicle and activated his lights and sirens attempting to pull the vehicle over. The vehicle continued traveling for about 1.5 miles on Alsile Road before stopping, the citation stated.

After Elliotte got her stopped he observed her stuffing a red wig under the driver’s seat in an alleged attempt to conceal it. All suspected items that were stolen were returned to the store, which determined that they were worth a total of $98.74, according to the citation.

She was arrested at 8:49 p.m. and lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center.

Deputies Brentley Patrick and Jarrett Carr, Williamsburg Police Officers Bryson Lawson, Steven Hill, and Dorman Patrick Jr., and Kentucky State Police Trooper Logan Mallory all assisted at the scene.