Celeste E. Virga

     The Sheriff’s Office arrested a Mountain Home woman, 30 year old CELESTE ELIZABETH VIRGA, on several charges following a brief vehicle pursuit in Mountain Home Wednesday evening. 

     A stolen vehicle report had been made with the Mountain Home Police Department , and deputies were asked to be on the lookout for a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe.  At approximately 7:39 PM yesterday, the owner of the stolen vehicle reported he was following his vehicle traveling East on the U. S. Hwy 62/412 bypass, then West on U. S. Hwy 62 Business back into Mountain Home.

     Sheriff’s Corporal Craig Gates met the vehicle heading West at a high rate of speed.  He turned around and attempted to initiate a vehicle stop.  The driver was passing other vehicles in the center turning lane and refused to stop.  A pursuit was initiated.  The vehicle then went South on Cardinal drive after running a red light, then turned on Mary Street, ran a stop sign, and then ran into the yard of a residence causing property damage.  The driver managed to pull back on Mary Street and continue West bound.  Mary Street is a dead end.  When the driver of the stolen vehicle reached the end of the road she exited the vehicle and ran on foot into a field.  Corporal Gates pursued on foot a short distance, and the driver then surrendered and was taken into custody at 7:46 PM.  The driver was identified as CELESTE VIRGA.  A search of the vehicle found that VIRGA was in the possession of drug paraphernalia.

     CELESTE VIRGA was subsequently taken to the Baxter County Detention Center and booked on charges of:

Theft of Property – Felony (Mountain Home PD charge)
Fleeing – Felony
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Misdemeanor
Leaving the Scene of Accident with Property Damage – Misdemeanor
Reckless Driving – Misdemeanor
Failure to Maintain Control – Misdemeanor
No Liability Insurance – Misdemeanor

     VIRGA has a bond of $12,500 on those charges and will appear before the Circuit Court to answer on August 22nd.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff