Three arrested after incident in Gerbes parking lot

COLUMBIA —Columbia police arrested three people following a disturbance Friday morning in the parking lot at the Gerbes on West Broadway.

According to a Police Department news release, the police received several calls that someone was driving erratically in the parking lot and pedestrians had to jump out  of the way of the vehicle.

Police say Jefferson City resident Philip Peterson, 20, was driving the vehicle and before an officer arrived, Peterson hit a tree near a parking lot and got out of the car.

Police say Darrin Woods, 19, of Columbia, then took the driver's seat. While backing away from the tree at a high speed, Woods lost control and was thrown out of the vehicle. The vehicle continually spun in the parking lot and collided with both a telephone pole and a building. Darrin was taken to a local hospital for minor head injuries.

Police arrested the two men as well as a third suspect, Danielle Woods, 27, of Columbia.

The investigation by police found that at least Danielle Woods had shoplifted from Gerbes supermarket. Police found the stolen merchandise inside the vehicle.

Darrin Woods and Peterson were arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated, minor in posession and second-degree property damage. Danielle Woods was arrested for third offense stealing.