Nancy Bennett

Name:
Bennett, Nancy Lynn

Date of Booking:
11/20/2024

Reason(s) For Booking:
CRUELTY TO CHILDREN – 2ND DEGREE

FLEEING OR EVADING POLICE OR ROADBLOCK

RECKLESS DRIVING

SAFETY BELTS

WILLFUL OBSTRUCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS BY USE OF THREATS OR VIOLENCE –

WILLFUL OBSTRUCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS BY USE OF THREATS OR VIOLENCE –

WILLFUL OBSTRUCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS BY USE OF THREATS OR VIOLENCE –

WILLFUL OBSTRUCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS BY USE OF THREATS OR VIOLENCE –

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]

[NARRATIVE #1 on November 20, 2024]

On 11/20/2024, Cpl Crenshaw and I Ofc Washburn pulled into the Corner Station to make a traffic stop on a white Dodge Journey that had no license plate.

I walked up to the car and explained to the driver who I was and that I stopped her because of her vehicle not having a tag on it. I noticed that there was a little girl in the back seat that was not properly using a seat belt but did not bring it up because the driver was explaining why there was no tag. The driver explained that she had just bought the car a few days ago and presented the car’s title with the old owner’s signature on the back. I took the piece of paper and then asked the little girl where the rest of her seat belt was. She only was using the lap part of the seat belt and did not have a booster seat. The driver stated that the little girl undid it to when they stopped. I went back to the patrol car where I ran the VIN.

I then went back up to her car and asked her for her license. While there I asked the little girl how old she was. The girl responded by saying she was five years old. I then walked back to the patrol car.

I ran her license through our in-car system and it stated she had warrants. I then ran her driver’s license number through dispatch who also said she had warrants. Hearing this, Sgt Burnett and Ofc Edwards joined the traffic stop. Her warrants stated that it was only in-state pick up and since they were out of South Carolina, we were not going to be arresting her on the warrants.

At one point during the traffic stop, Ms. Nancy Bennett, the driver, exited her vehicle. Sgt Burnett ordered her to get back in her car. She complied but proceeded to turn the car on and put it in motion. Ms. Bennett drove around to the back of Corner Station and cleared a ditch then drove down a hill onto the street below. She crossed over into a house’s yard before running into the hill that she went down. Once she crashed into the hill, she jumped in the back of the car and grabbed ahold of the five year old in the back seat.

Sgt Burnett ran after her on foot. Ofc Edwards pulled his car down to block her on Andy St. Cpl Crenshaw and I tried to take the path that she took but got stuck. We then exited the vehicle and ran over to the vehicle where Sgt Burnett and Ofc Edwards made contact. The two were giving commands to Ms. Bennett to let go of the little girl. Ofc Edwards was trying to get the girl away from Ms. Bennett on the passenger side of the car while Sgt Burnett and Cpl Crenshaw were trying to get Ms. Bennett to let go of the girl and exit the vehicle on the driver side of the vehicle. They were able to remove Ms. Bennett from the car and Ofc Edwards got the little girl out of the car. I then took the little girl up to Corner Station to get her away from the scene.

Once I got up the hill to corner station, I went into the store where a bystander bought the little girl a juice and two bags of chips. I asked the girl her name and she said her name was [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. I stayed with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] until other units arrived to assist.

A few moments later, other Commerce units arrived on the scene. Ofc Czelusniak assisted with staying by [REDACTED BY AGENCY] side until she was turned over to a guardian. A medic from Jackson County EMS did come check on [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and no injury was found other than superficial wounds. Superficial wounds included bright red skin and scratches on her body. We believe these wounds were from Ms. Bennett grabing ahold of [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and not letting go.

Ms. Bennett’s car was removed by Family Auto and a tow sheet was done by Ofc Edwards.

Once Ms. Bennett’s car was removed, Sgt Burnett and I drove Ms. Bennett to the jail.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on November 20, 2024]

I, Ofc. Czelusniak arrived to the scene where the other Commerce officers were. I made my way where the female juvenile was sitting with Ofc. Washburn. I noticed that she had red marks on the left side of her face, left arm, left shoulder blade. She had the start of a bruise on her left forearm and left shoulder blade. She also stated to me that her left leg hurt a little. The paramedic checked her out and she was not transported to the hospital. I stayed with the juvenile until she was released to her father and sister.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #3 on November 20, 2024]

On 11/20/2024, I Officer Edwards, responded code one to the Corner Station to assist Ofc Washburn and Cpl Crenshaw on a traffic stop with a wanted subject.

I was approaching the intersection of Homer Road when I saw on my in car computer that Ofc Washburn had ran a wanted subjects information. I made my way to the corner station to assist on the stop.

I arrived on scene then shortly after Sgt. Burnett arrived on scene. The female driver began to exit the vehicle and Sgt. Burnett told her to stay inside the car. Once the female driver got back into the vehicle she fled from the stop I saw Sgt. Burnett run toward the vehicle that was fleeing through the grass. Ofc. Washburn followed the car so I got into my vehicle to try and block the vehicle from making it onto the roadway. I went to end of Andy Street as the vehicle was approaching. At first I thought the vehicle was going to strike mine but instead turned left and wrecked into the ditch.

I got out of my vehicle with my duty weapon drawn and saw the female driver jump into the back seat of the car. I opened the rear passenger side door and saw the female driver had both of her arms wrapped around a young child. I gave loud verbal commands for the female to let go of the child. The female continued to ignore my commands. I had to pry the female’s hands off the young child as Sgt. Burnett was trying to also get the female driver to comply. I was able to get the child out of the back seat and to safety. I gave the child to Ofc Washburn and assisted Sgt. Burnett and Cpl. Crenshaw with the arrest of the female driver.

After the female was in handcuffs, Sgt. Burnett and myself attempted to put the female into the back of my patrol car. The female driver continued to ignore commands. Sgt. Burnett had to push the female’s legs while I had to pull he shoulder to ensure she was inside the vehicle. The female continued to ignore commands and physically resist. Eventually we were able to secure the female in the rear of my patrol car until she calmed down.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #4 on November 20, 2024]

On 11/20/24 while on routine patrol, Ofc. Washburn and myself completed a traffic stop on a white, Dodge Journey that did not have a tag displayed. The vehicle came to a stop in the parking lot of the Corner Station on Jefferson St. The vehicle was facing Andy St. Ofc. Wahsburn approached the drivers side front window and addressed the driver, identified as Nancy Bennett. I stood at the front of my patrol vehicle on the passenger side offering backup. Ofc. Washburn returned to the patrol vehicle to run the subject and to inspect the vehicles title that was provided to her by Ms. Bennett. While at the vehicle, Ofc. Washburn recognized that there was a juvenile in the back seat but was not restrained properly. When Ofc. Washburn ran Ms. Bennett’s information she came back as a wanted person out of Horry County South Carolina. Ofc. Washburn then ran Ms. Bennett’s drivers license number through dispatch to confirm. Dispatch later confirmed that Ms. Bennett was wanted out of South Carolina for arson but the warrant was for in state pickup only. Knowing a deputy for Horry County SO, I contacted Dep. Puckett to advise her of the location of Ms. Bennett.

While on the phone with Dep. Puckett, Sgt. Burnett and Ofc. Edwards arrived on scene due to the person being wanted. Ms. Bennett opened her door and stepped out of her vehicle. Ms. Bennett was then instructed to have a seat back in her vehicle. Ms. Bennett sat back in the vehicle, closed the door, and began to drive through the grassy area behind the gas station. In a reckless attempt to evade officers, Ms. Bennett sped over a drainage ditch and onto Andy St., though a side yard, and then struck a ditch before Jefferson St. While following Ms. Bennett, Ofc. Washburn and myself got my patrol vehicle stuck on the drainage ditch. I exited my vehicle and ran to the accident scene. When I arrived, Sgt. Burnett was attempting to pull Ms. Bennett from the back seat. Ms. Bennett, after wrecking the vehicle jumped in the back seat and grabbed the 5 year old child in an attempt to shield herself from arresting officers. Ofc. Edwards was able to pry the child away from Ms. Bennett as Set. Burnett and myself dragged her from the vehicle. Ms. Bennett was not complying to our commands. I then took out my taser and advised Ms. Bennett that she would be tased if she did not comply. Ms. Bennett eventually complied and Sat. Burnett handcuffed Ms. Bennett. She was cuffed behind her back, cuffs checked for fit, and double locked. Ms. Bennett advised me that she ran because she thought that her husband that was going to report the vehicle as stolen.

Once Ms. Bennett was placed into Sgt. Burnett’s patrol car, I went up to the Corner Station to check on the welfare of the child. I advised dispatch to call for a med unit to come and check the child. When I saw the child, I observed redness about her arms. The small child was scared and upset. The med unit arrived and checked the small child. She was not transported but released to her sister who was on scene. Ms. Bennett was transported to the Jackson County Jail.

Family Auto was contacted as list wrecker to collect the vehicle and a vehicle inventory was completed.

[End of Narrative]