Clinton woman facing charges from two separate incidents in the same day

Hunter
07/15/22

A Clinton woman is facing a number of charges after being arrested twice in the same day.

The first incidents occurred at around 7 am Tuesday. 43-year-old Michelle Brashear was reportedly found in a ditch at the end of a residence on the 3600 block of Murphy Court Northeast in North Liberty, in possession of a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. The vehicle was reported stolen the previous week in Cedar Rapids. According to the homeowner, Brashear came up to them and reported running out of gas. When the homeowner said police had been called to help, Brashear said she didn’t want the police involved and walked away. She also allegedly got into the neighbor’s Chevy Blazer in their driveway and tore apart the steering column and ignition to start and steal that vehicle but failed to start it. Her actions reportedly caused about $500 damage to the vehicle.

Brashear was charged with 2nd degree theft for the alleged theft of the Hyundai, and charges of 3rd degree Theft and 4th degree Criminal Mischief for the incident involving the Blazer.

Then a little after 6pm, Brashear was stopped by officers on a traffic violation and pulled into the parking lot of the Iowa City Menards. She then reportedly left the vehicle in order to get water for her dog, entering the store. Brashear was allegedly observed to be hyperactive and speaking in a hurried manner. She reportedly had multiple physical signs of methamphetamine use.

Brashear allegedly gave a false name and then provided a maiden name for that false name to officers. When dispatch was unable to get confirmation of an Iowa driver’s license with those names, Brashear was told she was under arrest. She then reportedly ran from police, stopping after about fifty yards. Brashear allegedly pulled away from officers as they tried to take her into custody.

Ambulance personnel treating her reportedly found a butane lighter and a pipe containing burnt and unburnt residue consistent with meth.

For the evening incident, Brashear was charged with providing false ID information, interference with official acts, public intoxication, and possession of drug paraphernalia, all simple misdemeanors. Coupled with the charges against her from that morning, Brashear could be sentenced to over seven years in prison if convicted on all charges.