A woman was arrested, accused of ramming a stolen truck into an apartment on Watson Street where a Benton police officer lived. According to police, Sara Sousa, 21, knew Officer Melonie Cannada lived in the apartment when she drove the truck into the apartment Friday evening.
Authorities also say Sousa willingly drove the truck and that she could have possibly been upset by previous dealings with Cannada.
The truck knocked the front door down and caused severe damage to the front of the apartment. Officers were quickly on-scene and Sousa was taken into custody. Damage to the truck is estimated at approximately $5000 and to the apartment at $30,000.
Officers also found a 12" knife on Sousa. Ofc. Cannada was not injured.
Cannada's patrol car has also been vandalized with about $3500 worth of damage. Sousa has also been charged with this incident as well.
According to police, Sousa was charged with Criminal Attempt to Commit Capital Murder, Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Use of Another Person's Property to Commit a Crime, Residential Burglary, Criminal Mischief 1st Degree, and Carrying a Weapon.
She is currently being held at the Saline County Detention Facility on a $500,000 bond.
This is an on-going investigation and detectives are currently looking at the possibility of other suspects being involved.
