By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

An Ellis County woman was arrested last week following a series of events that included a vehicle theft and a number of grass fires.

According to the Ellis County Sheriff Ed Harbin, rural fire crews were called to a grass fire Saturday night in the 1300 block of South County Line Road. When first responders, arrived they found a woman running up and down the middle of the 100 block of 210th Avenue.

After talking with the woman, deputies determined the woman appeared to be intoxicated and had set the three small grass fires in area of 210th and South County Line Road, Harbin said. The woman, according to Harbin, told authorities she had set the fires in an effort to stay warm. A vehicle the woman allegedly had taken without permission from a relative was also found in the area.

Harbin said the woman was transported to Hays Medical Center and then booked into Ellis County jail on suspicion of vehicle theft, arson, driving under the influence and criminal damage to property.

While in custody, the woman damaged a fire sprinkler head in the law enforcement center and will face criminal damage charges from the incident. Harbin said the water from the sprinkler system caused quite a bit of damage.

Then, on Monday morning, while in a holding cell awaiting breakfast, the woman tried to escape and battered a corrections officer in the process. Harbin said attempted escape from custody and battery on a law enforcement officer will be added to the list of recommended charges filed with the Ellis County Attorney.

After jail staff, concerned with the woman’s behavior, recommended she be evaluated, she was sent to Larned State Hospital.

Harbin said they are withholding the woman’s name because of the mental health concerns.

The information has been transferred to the county attorney to determine what charges will be filed in the case