Dine-and-dash suspect charged with DWI, theft

Published 9:28 am Wednesday, March 13, 2013

AUSTIN — A driver pulled over Saturday night after servers say she and another woman left Applebee’s without paying faces theft and DWI charges.

Kanesha Marcella Jones, 28, of Austin, was charged Tuesday in Mower County Court with gross misdemeanors for DWI test refusal and DWI and misdemeanors for driving after revocation and theft.

An officer arrested Jones at about 11 p.m. after receiving the report that two women with children dined and dashed at Applebee’s in Austin. According to the court complaint, Jones denied being at Applebee’s; however, the officer pointed out that the child in the vehicle was holding an Applebee’s container. The officer then asked Jones if she paid, and Jones said, “Yes, I paid. I will go right back there and pay for it,” the complaint adds.

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Jones reportedly began driving away while saying she just wanted to go home while the officer was telling her to stop.

The officer managed to open the driver’s door and turn the ignition off, and he smelled alcohol on Jones’ breath. Jones was arrested and refused to give a breath, urine or blood sample, the complaint added.

The report has been forwarded to the city attorney’s office. The suspect may be charged with second-degree DWI, second-degree DWI refusal, fleeing an officer, driving after revocation, endangering a child and reckless driving.