Woman hurled snake at driver, stole her car then crashed through pole-vaulting exhibition barricades, police say

Hilmary Moreno-Berrios has been charged with carjacking and property damage

The snake was released into local woods (Greenville Police Department )

A woman has been arrested after a carjacking incident involving a live snake being thrown at a driver to try and get their car keys.

Police in Greenville, South Carolina, have charged Hilmary Moreno-Berrios, 29, with carjacking and malicious damage to personal property. She is in custody on a $25,000 bond.

Ms Moreno-Berrios allegedly carjacked a woman in a Honda CR-V by swatting at the driver with wooden sticks before throwing the live black snake at her. Ms Moreno-Berrios was allegedly later spotted driving on a main street in the city centre.

The stolen vehicle, taken at around 8.30pm local time on Friday evening, was then driven through event barriers for a Liberty Bridge jump-off pole vaulting event which took place at the weekend.

The property damage charge relates to the $17,225 worth of equipment for the event that was damaged.

The stolen car was crashed into another vehicle at a crossroads. Police arrested Ms Moreno-Berrios after a pursuit on foot. She was taken to a medical centre for treatment for shoulder pain and was kept in for psychological evaluation.

No other injuries were reported from the incident according to police.

Police said that the snake – which was still in the car – was found to be non-venomous and was released into the woods close to where the vehicle was taken.

Greenville authorities said that Ms Moreno-Berrios was also issued five traffic citations for hit and run of another vehicle; failure to stop for police; resisting arrest; driving on a closed street and reckless driving.