CRIME Woman arraigned in stolen cruiser chase

The prosecutor said it was 'Houdini-like circumstances.'
YOUNGSTOWN -- Bond is $1 million for Kimberly A. Kalasky, who is accused of commandeering a cruiser and leading police on a high-speed chase on Interstate 680 into Austintown.
Kalasky, 24, of Cherry Hill Avenue, was arraigned via video Monday in municipal court by Judge Robert P. Milich. Her charges include escape, felonious assault on police officers, aggravated robbery, resisting arrest and obstruction of official business.
Anthony J. Farris, chief assistant city prosecutor, described the situation to the judge as "Houdini-like circumstances." He requested bond be $1 million.
Kalasky was arrested at home last Friday afternoon on a charge of obstructing official business after refusing to come out from behind a pole in the basement and answer officers' questions, reports show. The woman's mother had reported a theft of checks and said her daughter had a crack cocaine problem, police said.
An uncanny escape
Kalasky, seated in the back of a cruiser, managed to slip out of one handcuff and used a small knife to try to stab the officer designated to take her to jail, police said. The officer stopped the cruiser and got out to avoid being stabbed.
Police said Kalasky then climbed through the partition to the front seat, being sprayed with pepper spray as she did so. The officer grabbed Kalasky and was dragged about 35 yards as she drove off, police said.
The cruiser was driven northbound on Interstate 680 to Interstate 80 and then westbound on Interstate 76. Austintown police joined in the pursuit.
Kalasky is accused of ramming Austintown cruisers and trying to run over police.
She was finally apprehended after the cruiser rammed into the rear of a tractor-trailer that stopped on the interstate. Police said she continued to fight and tried to break free.