Emlenton woman waives hearing in stolen-vehicle case

By MARISSA DECHANT
Staff writer

An Emlenton woman accused of almost wrecking a vehicle stolen from Florida with three juvenile passengers inside waived her preliminary hearing Wednesday in Venango County Central Court.

Charges filed against Destiny Goodin, 18, will now be bound over for further proceedings in the Court of Common Pleas.

Goodin is facing felony counts of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property, in addition to a misdemeanor count of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, three misdemeanor counts of recklessly endangering another person and three misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of children. She was also charged with several summary traffic offenses.

A criminal complaint filed through District Judge Patrick Lowrey’s office said that around 1:34 p.m. on June 1, Emlenton Borough police observed a Ford Explorer bearing Florida registration plates nearing the end of Kerr Avenue Bridge.

Goodin, who was driving the vehicle, approached the end of the bridge and did not use the required turn signals or stop properly at the stop sign, the complaint said.

She then continued onto Route 208 at a high rate of speed through road construction and onto McNanny Road, the complaint said.

Goodin nearly lost control of the vehicle along the steep bank portion of the roadway near the Allegheny River, the complaint said.

When Goodin finally stopped the vehicle on the road, she fled on foot, the complaint said.

Three juveniles also exited the vehicle, and police made contact with them, the complaint said.

Police could not find Goodin after an initial search of the area, the complaint said.

Police then checked the vehicle’s registration and identification and found the car was stolen from Florida, the complaint said.

It was also found that Goodin is not a valid driver in Pennsylvania, and the vehicle’s registration had expired in April, the complaint said.

Upon searching the vehicle, police found an identification card and birth certificate for Goodin, the complaint said.

Goodin was released from the Venango County jail on $25,000 unsecured bail per the judge’s request.