Wash. Woman Is Accused of Drunkenly Driving onto Sidewalk and Chasing Kid on Dirt Bike Before Trying to Break Into Home

Wash. Woman Is Accused of Drunkenly Driving onto Sidewalk and Chasing Kid on Dirt Bike Before Trying to Break Into Home https://ift.tt/Uxac571

Authorities allege 56-year-old Wendy A. Clemente drove onto a sidewalk and tried to hit a child riding a dirt bike before going to a nearby stranger's home about 25 minutes later and attempting to open the door

Credit: Spokane County Sheriff's Office/Facebook

NEED TO KNOW

• Wendy A. Clemente, 56, is accused of driving onto a sidewalk and chasing a child riding a dirt bike in Spokane County, Wash.
• About 25 minutes later, deputies allege she was found at a nearby home trying to open the door
• She was charged with attempted first-degree assault, DUI and criminal trespass and later released

A woman accused of driving onto the sidewalk and chasing a child riding a dirt bike later showed up at a stranger’s home and attempted to open the door, according to authorities.

Wendy A. Clemente, 56, was arrested April 28 following the two incidents in Spokane County, Wash., according to a press release from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said they responded around 6:05 p.m. to a report of a reckless and aggressive driver in the 7500 block of South Fruitvale Road.

During the incident, “the suspect drove up on the sidewalk and attempted to hit a juvenile riding a bike,” the sheriff’s office said in the release, adding that she "chased the juvenile on the sidewalk before reentering the roadway and leaving the area."

The child was not injured in the incident.

Cellphone video of the encounter appears to show a silver sedan mounting the sidewalk and driving behind the panicked child. In the footage, a witness can be heard saying, “This lady’s crazy.”

Deputies reviewed the video and began searching for the driver, who was later identified as Clemente.

About 25 minutes later, around 6:30 p.m., deputies received a report of a possible residential burglary about a mile away in the 10700 block of West Melville Road, per the release.

A homeowner who was not at the residence at the time reported watching on a live security system as the suspect tried to open the door handles; it was unclear whether the person entered the home, authorities said.

According to the release, deputies found Clemente and her silver Ford Focus parked in the driveway and arrested her at the scene.

Clemente allegedly told deputies she had taken her own dog out looking for other dogs to socialize with and stopped after noticing dogs at the home. She allegedly said she did not know the homeowner and denied entering or attempting to enter the residence.

Authorities said, per the release, that she told deputies she did not remember the earlier incident involving the child.

Despite what deputies described as "indicators of impairment," Clemente initially denied drinking alcohol or using drugs but later admitted to drinking alcohol, the sheriff's office said.

Deputies said they informed her she was under arrest for allegedly driving under the influence, according to the release. While trying to place her in a patrol vehicle, Clemente allegedly resisted and attempted to kick a deputy before she was restrained.

Authorities then obtained a search warrant for a sample of her blood for testing, per the release.

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Clemente was booked into jail on charges of attempted first-degree assault, driving under the influence and first-degree criminal trespass.

At a court appearance the following day, she was ordered released on her own recognizance and did not have to post bond, the release states.

Attorney information for Clemente was not immediately available.