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EAST LIVERPOOL -- A Columbiana area woman finds herself in jail in lieu of $100,000 cash or surety bond after spending Thursday morning allegedly trying to outrun the police.
Brandi Lee Cope (aka McVay), of Lower Elkton Road, is set for a preliminary hearing Thursday in East Liverpool Municipal Court on charges of felonious assault, a first-degree felony; failure to comply with order of a police officer, a third-degree felony; driving under suspension, a first-degree misdemeanor; obstructing official business and drug paraphernalia, both second-degree misdemeanors; fictitious plates and illegal plates, both fourth-degree misdemeanors; lighted lights required, a minor misdemeanor; and driving under a FRA suspension.
In court documents, Liverpool Township Patrolman Jay Cargnel said he initiated a traffic stop near Annesley Road for a silver SUV with a driver side headlight out. The woman driver provided a false name, Cargnel said. and was identified later as Brandi Lee Cope.
Cope sped off, dragging Cargnel along with the vehicle. He pursued her through the area until finally stopping her near Samuel Street, where she spun out and attempted to flee on foot. She was caught, and a glass smoking instrument was found in her vehicle, police said.
Judge Dominic Frank ordered Cope to have any contact with Cargnel or his family.
If convicted of these new charges, Cope faces up to 16 years in prison and $38,500 in fines. She also had not failed to appear for a probation violation hearing Feb. 26 regarding 2019 criminal cases that included multiple possession of drugs, illegal conveyance of drugs into a detention facility, breaking and entering, receiving stolen property and possession of fentanyl-related compound.
Cope faces any imposition of any suspended prison time or fines if found guilty of the probation violation.