The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A Florida woman riding an electric luggage cart in the airport reportedly forced an officer to chase after her while she drove through the building.
In the middle of April, 32-year-old Chelsea Alston was at Orlando International Airport preparing to board a Southwest Airlines flight with a destination of New York.
The woman, who was driving an electric motorized luggage cart, went up to her gate when it was time to get on the plane and an airline employee got the impression that Alston was drunk.
The employee let Alston know that she was not going to be able to get on the plane due to her alleged intoxication.
Alston reportedly became upset and told the employee that she was just trying to enjoy herself and get home to New York, and an officer from the Orlando Police Department stepped in.
When the officer assessed the situation, it was determined that Alston showed several indications of being intoxicated, but the woman said that she only had two drinks.
After she was informed that she was welcome to wait and take a different flight when the alcohol had worn off, she reportedly gave the officer the finger and began to curse.
The woman reportedly drove away on the cart, and the officer began chasing after her.
A video was recorded with the officer’s body cam, and he can be heard making light of the situation and commenting about the way the cart was able to go so fast.
The officer used a bike and trailed Alston until he caught up with her. He told her if she went to the other side of the TSA checkpoint she would not be detained.
The woman allegedly spat at the officer and became combative.
After she was cuffed and put into the police vehicle, Alston allegedly tore up the seat, in addition to defecating in the car. The damage was assessed at $1,200.
Alston was booked into the Orange County Jail. She is facing charges of battering a police officer and causing more than $1,000 of damage to a patrol vehicle. She was released from jail on a $13,500 bond.
Alston, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges, could face up to ten years in jail if she is convicted.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.