TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A Tallahassee woman has been arrested after she hopped into an unsuspecting driver's lap and attempted to drive away with the car.
Jamerica Harris, 31, was arrested on Wednesday morning.
According to arrest documents, the victim had pulled up to her job on Mahan Drive when Harris immediately approached her car and asked her for money.
Because the victim had already turned the car off, she told responding Leon County deputies that she opened the driver's door and told Harris she didn't have any cash. That's when Harris jumped on her lap and used the "push start" button to start the car.
The victim said Harris attempted to put the car in drive, but the victim kept her foot on the brake and pushed Harris out of the car.
However, Harris managed to grab the victim's purse as she got pushed out the car and ran away. Documents say the purse contained several items, including $250 in cash, for a total value of $1,640.
The victim told deputies that as Harris ran, she yelled to her co-workers for help. Documents say one of the victim's coworkers sprung into action and ran after Harris, tackling Harris and placing her in a choke hold.
While holding Harris and getting the purse away from her, the second victim told deputies that Harris scratched her hand.
When deputies tried to speak to Harris, she was uncooperative and "appeared to be confused and incoherent but stated she did not want to speak with law enforcement about anything."
Based on the evidence, Harris was arrested and charged with burglary, theft and battery. She was taken to the Leon County Detention Facility where she remains on a $51,000 bond.
