Former 'America's Next Top Model' Finalist, Charged with Multiple Felonies, Has Prelim in October

A preliminary hearing was set Monday for a former "America's Next Top Model" finalist who faces charges in four criminal cases, including a break-in at a Palm Springs residence.

Renee Diane Alway, 27, of Palm Springs, was arrested June 28 and she remained locked up Sept. 23 at Indio Jail, where she was held on $150,000, according to inmate records.


Alway's next court hearing, scheduled Oct. 8 in Indio, will determine if there is enough evidence for prosecutors to bring her to trial.

Alway finished in the top three of "America's Next Top Model" Cycle 8, which aired in 2007. The following is from an antm411.com page about Alway:

Renee was born and raised in northern Michigan, where her father was a pastor and police officer. She revealed in the first episode of Modelville on October 8, 2008 that her father was physically and mentally abusive, and that her, her siblings, and her mother Sandra, were afraid to leave due to her father’s respected position in the community as well as his mental instability.

Alway was arrested June 28 in the 600 block of Violeta Drive, according to Palm Springs police.

Around 1:50 p.m. that day, police responded to a report of "a suspicious female walking in the area," Palms Springs PD Sgt. Harvey Reed said in a statement.

While looking for the woman, police found a residence with an opened rear door, Reed said.

"Officers were informed that the residents were out of the country and that the property should be vacant," Reed said.

Police searched and found Alway hiding in the garage, Reed said.

She was arrested on charges "resulting from an unrelated investigation," Reed said.

Alway allegedly had a firearm when she was arrested, according to police.

"Based on information provided at the scene, officers believed that a male subject armed with a firearm was somewhere in the residence," Reed said.

The Palm Springs-Cathedral City SWAT team responded and searched for the male subject, Reed said. They didn't find him.

Alway was initially taken to Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, where she was booked early June 29, according to inmate records.

Alway is now charged in four criminal cases that include felony and misdemeanor charges of burglary, intent to defraud, receiving stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, grand theft, possession of drug paraphernalia and being under the influence of a controlled substance, according to Riverside County court records.

City News Service contributed to this report.