— A woman arrested after leading police on a high-speed chase exceeding 90 miles per hour along Route 15 is also a suspect in a separate 2024 vehicle theft case, according to a magistrate’s complaint filed in Superior Court.
Carina Lyn Cruz Barnes, 42, was charged Wednesday with second-degree felony theft of a motor vehicle, along with misdemeanor counts of driving without identification, eluding a police officer, resisting arrest, and reckless driving. She was released on personal recognizance bonds totaling $3,000.
According to court documents, officers attempted to stop a silver Kia Soul on Tuesday after noticing it lacked a front license plate and had expired registration. Instead of stopping, the vehicle reportedly drove onto a grassy shoulder, reentered the roadway, and accelerated southbound at speeds reaching 90 mph.
The complaint states the Kia traveled into oncoming lanes, forcing northbound vehicles to swerve to avoid collisions. Barnes allegedly lost control of the car and crashed into roadside vegetation. When ordered to lie on the ground, she reportedly failed to comply, yelled incoherently, and resisted arrest before being subdued by officers.
Investigators later determined the license plate on the Kia had previously been seized and was registered to a different vehicle. Barnes allegedly admitted she fled because the plates did not belong to the car, the registration was expired, and she had outstanding warrants.
Police also learned Barnes was wanted in connection with a December 2024 vehicle theft involving a rental car taken after she was offered a ride by the victim. If convicted on all charges, Barnes could face more than 11 years in prison.
