PANAMA CITY BEACH — Officers have arrested a Tallahassee woman who was allegedly cruising around during Spring Break while on the run from law enforcement, according to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.
Briana Simone Ward, 23, was arrested Monday night after a brief pursuit by authorities. Deputies ran her information and discovered she was a fugitive from justice and wanted in the state of Georgia.
BCSO deputies patrolling Thomas Drive on Panama City Beach observed a 2014 white Chevy Cruze blocking traffic. The driver had stopped in the roadway to speak to people travelling on the shoulder of the road. Deputies instructed her to keep her vehicle moving and the driver moved about a foot and then stopped again to talk. Deputies instructed her to turn into the median and the driver agreed but then sped off toward Joan Avenue.
Deputies followed with lights on and made contact with the driver as she was stopped at a traffic light. A traffic stop was conducted when deputies were able get the driver to pull off the road and then block her in with patrol cars when she again attempted to drive away.
Ward, from Tallahassee, was arrested for resisting an officer without violence. It was discovered her license was suspended and Ward was wanted on a warrant out of Georgia. While being processed for booking into the Bay County Jail, marijuana was found her person.
Ward was also charged with driving with license suspended or revoked, fugitive from justice, and possession of marijuana, less than 20 grams. She was taken to the Bay County Jail.