Following an investigation by the Licking Police Department on May 19, a Licking woman faces a felony charge for stealing a car.
Leah M. Maltsberger, 18, of Maple Avenue in Licking, is charged with tampering with a motor vehicle, a class D felony, and misdemeanors of driving while intoxicated and operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license.
At about 9:08 p.m., an LPD officer was advised by Texas County 911 dispatch that a woman had reported her red 2019 Volkswagen Jetta had been stolen from in front of the store she works at. While speaking with the woman, the officer reportedly was contacted by dispatch again and advised that Maltsberger’s boyfriend had reported that she had crashed the car into a power pole on Deer Lick Street.
The officer responded to the location and observed the wrecked vehicle. During the process, the officer detected a strong odor of alcohol.
Maltsberger was taken to the Texas County Jail, where she resisted but was detained. A breath test was conducted and reportedly showed a blood alcohol content of 0.268.
Cash-only bond in the case is set at $2,000.