CLEVELAND — A 26-year-old woman was arrested and faces multiple charges, including arson, assault and theft, following a chaotic scene at an Enterprise Rent-a-Car in Cleveland on Sunday.
According to Cleveland Police, officers received a call regarding the grand theft of a motor vehicle that was in process at the Enterprise Rent-a-Car located at 18809 Maplewood Ave. Prior to their arrival, responding officers received a report that an ex-employee, Durchun Burks -- known as Alex -- had allegedly stolen one of the vehicles and was driving around in it.
Additional information indicated that Burks was "very irate" after getting fired a few days prior and was ramming multiple vehicles and property. It was also alleged that she was attempting to run over multiple employees and was at the on-site gas pump pouring gasoline everywhere.
It was also noted that Burks had been terminated and placed on indefinite administrative leave from Enterprise in mid-June for allegedly taking a rental vehicle home without permission. On June 15, she allegedly returned to the Enterprise location, stole a vehicle and led Parma Police on a high-speed chase.
Upon arrival, officers observed two parked vehicles at the front of the parking lot preventing them from entering. Officers were later informed that Burks had deliberately crashed the vehicles at that location in order to prevent vehicles from entering or exiting.
Officers proceeded to exit their vehicle and walk through the parking lot, where they located multiple employees frantically pointing toward the vehicle bey. Officers approached the vehicle bey, where they found two employees hold down Burks, who was resisting their restraint.
Officers attempted to handcuff Burks, who allegedly initially resisted, but complied only after a K-9 officer arrived with his dog. Burks was subsequently placed in the back of a police car, read her Miranda Rights, and treated by a medic for minor injuries.
Officers proceeded to interview several witnesses, with multiple employees stating that they feared for their lives throughout the ordeal. Multiple witnesses stated that Burks attempted to blow the gas station area up by spreading gasoline and setting fire with a box of matches. One witness said that he was in the vehicle bey when Burks crashed through the garage door, also striking him, with others stating they saw her strike multiple cars.
Fire Arson investigators arrived on the scene and confirmed that gasoline had been spread throughout the pump area. Investigators also found a box of matches that Burks had allegedly spilled with the intent of setting fire, which they say would have caused additional "serious property damage" had she been successful in doing so.
A police report states that so much damage was caused during the ordeal that it will take hours or days to fully assess the damages.
Police interviewed Burks, asking her why she arrived at the Enterprise location and what her intent was. Burks allegedly replied that she "intended to spray gasoline on the vehicle and let it burn" and that she did exactly what she had intended to do: "driving around crashing s--t."
According to a police report, Burks faces the following charges:
- Two counts of aggravated arson
- Two counts of felonious assault
- 26 counts of motor vehicle theft
- 28 counts of vandalism
- One count of criminal trespassing
- One count of property damage