PURSE STUNT ESCAPE (1-23-2000)
LT. JACK BANKS, SPOKESMAN FOR BOONE COUNTY POLICE SAID OFFICERS USED GREAT RESTRAINT WHEN A WOMAN WHO HAD BEEN PULLED OVER ON I-275 DROVE OFF IN A POLICE CRUISER. BETTY FOLSTON, 37, OF THE CINCINNATI SUBURB OF SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, LED OFFICERS ON A 30-MINUTE CHASE BEFORE SHE WAS STOPPED. FOLSTON WAS ABLE TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE CRUISER AFTER PLACING ONE OF HER HANDS IN HER HANDBAG AS IF SHE HAD A GUN INSIDE. OFFICERS WERE COMMENDED FOR NOT SHOOTING HER.BANKS COMMENTED, WHEN FOLSTON CAME TOWARDS THE OFFICERS THEY "BACKED AWAY TOWARD COVER AND SHE JUMPED IN A POLICE CAR. FRANKLY WE'D RATHER GIVE A POLICE CAR UP FOR A FEW MINUTES THAN HAVE TO TAKE AL IFE. IT WAS ACTUALLY AN EXCEPTIONAL SHOW OF RESTRAINT BY THE OFFICERS" HE SAID.FOLSTON WAS ORIGINALLY STOPPED AFTER A SOUTHERN KENTUCKY COUPLE HEADING TO INDIANA ON I-275 MADE A 911 CALL TO REPORT A STRANGER HAD FOLLOWED THEIR VEHICLE FROM A PREVIOUS REST AREA. THEY SAID FOLSTON HAD APPROACHED THEM AT THE REST STOP TO SAY SHE WANTED TO TRAIL THEM TO CINCINNATI.