Suspect sought in hit-and-run, assault

Published 12:00 am Thursday, September 2, 2004

Law enforcement cars are used to block East Avenue Wednesday after a woman was run over twice.(Meredith SPencer The Vicksburg Post)

[9/2/04]A hit-and-run suspect drove to Vicksburg police headquarters after the incident Wednesday, nearly started a fight in the parking lot, then left instead of being escorted to the booking cell.

Today, a warrant has been issued for Petra Netter, 21, 909 1/2 Bowmar Ave. She was last seen in a beige Oldsmobile, Capt. Mark Culbertson said.

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Witnesses said Netter used a red Chevrolet Caprice to push Bertha Henyard into a fence at 1327 East Ave., then backed up and drove into her again about 12:40.

Then, for reasons unknown, Netter drove to police headquarters where she was involved in a disturbance in the parking lot. The desk clerk called for backup because she “felt like there was going to be a fight,” said Sgt. Sandra Johnson. Netter left in the Oldsmobile and has not been seen since.

“I’m not sure if the connection was made between the person at (police headquarters) and the East Avenue incident,” Johnson said. “I haven’t quite understood the reason why she came here.”

The police department is about a half-mile from the place where Henyard was injured.

Culbertson said the parking lot fracas seemed to be an extension of the East Avenue incident.

Culbertson later stopped the Caprice at South and Monroe streets after the parking lot fight, but Netter was not in the car.

Records also show she is free on $20,000 bond for June 21 charges of shooting into an occupied dwelling at 925 Bowmar Ave. The charges were not related to the hit-and-run, Johnson said.

Henyard, 58, 2222 Pearl St., was in fair condition at River Region Medical Center this morning, said spokesman Diane Gawronski.

Reports there were that the violence started when Henyard tried to break up an argument between Netter and one of her daughters. Culbertson said Netter used her car to hit Henyard twice, which constitutes aggravated assault.

Michelle Henyard, one of the victim’s daughters, said she and Netter have a long-running feud over an ex-boyfriend. Police did not know if Michelle Henyard was involved in the argument and she did not say.

“She’ll drive through and throw a finger or flash a pistol,” Michelle Henyard said.

Michelle Henyard has twice pressed assault charges against Netter, who filed counter-charges against her. The younger Henyard filed a report Sunday claiming that Netter threatened her with a gun.

Michelle Henyard also filed simple assault charges Oct. 2, 2003. Netter filed counter-charges against Michelle Henyard, but Netter was found guilty and fined $553.