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Chontelle Melissa Shirk, 40, of Dauphin, was arrested following the incident which started in a Target Parking lot in South Middleton Township at approximately 2:34 p.m., according to the release by Pennsylvania state police.
Shirk threatened the friend while the pair were in a Nissan Versa together before forcing her friend out of the vehicle at Target-- speeding away so quickly she nearly struck multiple pedestrians, according to police.
She was briefly spotted in Penn Township “acting in a strange manner” before police located the first stolen vehicle which had been driving into a barn on Lebo Road and caught fire, heavily damaging the barn, according to police.
Shirk’s dog was in the vehicle at the time of the theft and was found nearby the barn fire, police say.
The State Police fire marshal is still investigating the barn fire.
Now on foot, Shirk walked less than a mile away to the garage of a residence on Deer Ridge Lane, and stole a Jeep Compass, according to the release.
Then next time police saw her, they clocked her going more than 100 mile per hour along Route 114 in the stolen Jeep Compass, police stated in the release.
Shirk surrendered in the area of Lambs Gap Road but was transported to an area hospital for injuries, according to the release.
After she was released from the hospital she was arraigned and charged, according to police.
Her first set of charges was filed in Dauphin County dating for a Nov. 18 incident, according to court documents:
- F3 Theft By Unlawful Taking-Movable Property
- M2 Simple Assault
- S Harassment - Subject Other to Physical Contact
- M1 Terroristic Threats With Intent To Terrorize Another
- S Criminal Mischief - Damage Property
- M2 Unauthorized Use Motor/Other Vehicles
Her second set of charges was filed in Cumberland County for a Nov. 19 incident, according to court documents:
- F1 Burglary - Overnight Accommodations; Person Present, Bodily Injury Crime
- F1 Kidnap To Inflict Injury/Terror
- F2 Criminal Trespassing-Break Into Structure
- M1 Stalking - Repeatedly Commit Acts To Cause Fear
- M2 Criminal Mischief - Damage Property
- M3 Loitering And Prowling At Night Time
- M3 Disorderly Conduct Engage In Fighting
- S Harassment - Course of Conduct With No Legitimate Purpose
- S Driving License Suspended
- Robbery Of Motor Vehicle
Additional charges were filed in Cumberland County on Saturday, Nov. 20, according to court documents:
- F2 Theft By Unlawful Taking-Movable Property
- F1 Burglary - Overnight Accommodations; Person Present
- F3 Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Officer
- Flight To Avoid Apprehension/Trial/Punishment
- S Driving License Suspended/Revoked
Her initial bail was set at $40,000 and her bail for the charges filed on Saturday was set at $50,000 for a total $90,000 in bail, in lieu of which she has been remanded to the Cumberland County Prison, according to her court dockets.
Her preliminary hearing has been scheduled with Magisterial District Judge Susan K. Day on Dec. 1 at 9:15 a.m. , according to her court dockets.
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