Nev. woman accused of stealing wine while topless
May 22 2010 06:14PM CST
MINDEN, Nev.— A Nevada woman is accused of stealing a bottle of wine from a store while she was topless and intoxicated.
Brandi Smith, of Gardnerville, acknowledged her behavior was "mind-boggling" during an appearance Wednesday before a judge to face charges of indecent exposure, felony drunken driving and burglary.
Authorities say the 41-year-old was arrested May 10 after stealing a $20 bottle of wine, then driving to a nearby fast-food restaurant, where an off-duty sheriff's deputy kept her in the vehicle until other deputies arrived. When the other deputies arrived, they found the off-duty deputy carefully watching the woman to guard against any possible cover-up of the evidence.
A preliminary test revealed a blood-alcohol level of 0.14 percent, nearly twice the legal limit. The subject denied drinking alcohol, saying she was allergic to it and the reading obtained by officers was a false positive. Statistical experts from a nearby community college were called in by the Sheriff's Office to investigate the woman's claims, according to an anonymous source, Gerald Whitebridge, who declined to reveal his identity, pending completion of the investigation.
A records search found Smith has two prior convictions of driving under the influence in California. She claimed both of those convictions were obtained when police got a false positive because of her allergies.
A skeptical judge ordered her to remain in jail on $5,000 bail. The woman's court appointed attorney said he planned to withdraw from the woman's case as soon as the judge would allow it.
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