A woman was arrested Monday evening in connection with a stolen vehicle and fraud investigation, according to the Visalia Police Department.

Officers were called just before 6:30 p.m. to the 700 block of East Center Avenue after a report of a vehicle theft that had just occurred. A victim told police she had been at a nearby gym when she noticed her purse was missing. When she went outside, she saw a woman inside her vehicle.

As the suspect began backing out, the victim opened the door and attempted to pull her out, police said. The suspect then accelerated, running over a second victim’s foot before fleeing the scene.

A family member later located the stolen vehicle at a nearby business. Officers reviewed surveillance video and identified the suspect as Sonya Montoya, 47.

While still on scene, officers learned the victim’s stolen credit card had been used at another business in Visalia. Officers responded to that location and detained Montoya without incident.

Montoya was booked at the Tulare County Adult Pre-Trial Detention Facility.

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