Diversion program for topless thief

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MINDEN - A 41-year-old Gardnerville Ranchos woman arrested for stealing a bottle of wine while topless and driving drunk was granted a diversion program this week.

District Judge Michael Gibbons also ordered Brandi Smith to attend mental health court in Carson City.

She pleaded guilty to driving under the influence with two priors in less than seven years.

Smith was arrested May 10 when she drove drunk in a Corvette from her Gardnerville Ranchos home in a snow squall, walked into Scolari's topless, stole a $20 bottle of wine, and walked out.

Witnesses saw her get back into the car and drive toward a nearby Burger King where she stopped by the entrance to the drive-through with a tire over the curb and in the landscape.

An off-duty sheriff's deputy caught up with Smith, removed the keys from the ignition, recovered the wine and held the driver's door closed to keep her in the vehicle until deputies arrived.

A blood test revealed Smith's blood alcohol content to be .37, more than four times the legal limit of .08 for driving.

By agreeing to the diversion program, Smith committed to 3-5 years of strict supervision, counseling, unannounced search and seizure, and biweekly appearances before a district court judge to monitor her progress.

When she gets her driver's license back, Smith has to install a device that keeps her vehicle from starting if she's consumed alcohol.

She must pay all expenses.

If she fails the diversion program, Smith faces up to six years in Nevada State Prison.