90 MPH chase, theft charges

A woman accused of leading police on a dangerous high-speed chase along Route 15 is now also tied to a separate car theft case from last year. 

42-year-old Carina Lyn Cruz Barnes was charged wednesday with second-degree felony theft of a motor vehicle, along with multiple misdemeanor charges, including eluding police, resisting arrest, and reckless driving.

According to court documents, officers clocked speeds of more than 90 miles per hour as Barnes allegedly drove into oncoming traffic, forcing other drivers off the road.

Police say she later crashed the vehicle, struggled with officers, and admitted she fled because the plates didn’t belong to the car and she had outstanding warrants.

Investigators also learned barnes was wanted in a December 2024 rental car theft case.

She was released on $3,000 in personal recognizance bonds. If convicted on all charges, Barnes could face more than 11 years in prison.