A former Wayland woman and her partner have been arrested in Florida in connection with their alleged crime spree earlier this month at gas stations in Kent County.
Tauna Parfait and Bradley Johnson, both 33, were arrested Saturday afternoon in Palm Beach County after being wanted for stealing several vehicles and swindling money from clerks at gas stations.
Johnson also is being charged with aggravated battery against an officer, vehicle theft, fleeing and eluding police and leaving the scene of a crash causing property damage. Parfait, whose most address was listed as Otsego, has been charged with one count of grand theft auto.
Kent County Sheriff’s deputies confronted the couple Dec. 10 at a truck stop in southern Kent County, where they were alleged to have refused to comply with officers’ demands before ramming into a cruiser, jumping over a curb and initiating a brief high-speed chase.
The couple ditched their stolen vehicle about a mile away and then pilfered a pickup truck, which was later recovered at the scene of another stolen vehicle.
Johnson and Parfait also are accused of pretending to be gas station upper management to gain access to money from cash registers. They are suspected of stealing a 1996 Toyota Corolla, Chevy Silverado and a pickup truck.
It is believed the couple’s alleged crimes are the result of drug abuse.
