Wednesday a Louisville, Kentucky woman was arrested on numerous charges after she fled from a traffic stop on I-65 near Seymour, Indiana.  The pursuit went through three counties and lasted over thirty minutes. 

The incident began at approximately 12:45 pm when the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post was notified that the theft of numerous items of merchandise had just occurred at the Polo Ralph Lauren Store at the Premium Outlet Mall near Edinburgh, Indiana. 

Troopers were notified that the female suspect was driving a white Chevrolet Impala.

The car was reported to have a Kentucky registration plate that the suspect allegedly removed from the vehicle before leaving the scene.

At approximately 1:00 pm, Trooper Korry Clark located the vehicle traveling southbound on I-65 in Jackson County.  Trp. Clark conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle near the 50 mile marker, just north of the Seymour exit. 

He made contact with the driver who matched the description of the suspect. 

Trp. Clark attempted to take the suspect, later identified as Ta’neasha L. Chappell, age 23, Louisville, Kentucky into custody when she pulled away from him and reentered the vehicle.  Trp. Clark sustained a minor abrasion during the altercation.

Chappell then fled from troopers in the vehicle. 

Chappell was pursued southbound on I-65 through Jackson, Scott, and Clark Counties with speeds reaching 100 mph. 

Troopers from the Indiana State Police-Sellersburg Post along with numerous other agencies assisted in the pursuit of Chappell.

At one point during the pursuit, Chappell’s vehicle collided with the rear of a commercial motor vehicle.  Chappell’s vehicle eventually left the roadway at exit 7 on I-65 near Clarksville, Indiana where it came to a stop after being badly damaged. 

Chappell exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot.  She was soon taken into custody after being tased. 

Another trooper sustained a hand injury during the pursuit.  That trooper was transported to a Louisville area hospital for treatment.

Numerous suspected stolen items, valued at over $3,000, were located in the vehicle. 

Suspected marijuana was also located in her possession. 

Chappell was transported to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, Indiana for medical clearance and to submit to a chemical test for intoxication.  

Chappell was then incarcerated at the Jackson County Jail on numerous felony and misdemeanor charges related to resisting law enforcement.  Chappell will also potentially face additional charges related to the theft in Bartholomew County, Indiana.    

Just prior to this incident, at approximately 11:45 am, Trp. Clark conducted a traffic stop on a Dodge Journey on I-65 near Seymour, Indiana after it was reported that the two occupants had just stolen numerous items from Polo Ralph Lauren at the Edinburgh Premium Outlet Mall. 

The Edinburgh Police Department responded to the scene and arrested the two occupants, Haamiyna T. Kamose, age 24, and Da’miya K. Tooley, age 23, both of Louisville, Kentucky on theft charges related to the incident.  T

hey were found to be in possession of nearly $7,000 worth of stolen merchandise. 

Trp. Clark was assisted in that investigation by Sgt. Bryce Harris, Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, Trooper Taylor Ranshaw, and officers with the Edinburgh Police Department.

On Wednesday, May 26th, the Indiana State Police received information that rose to the level of probable cause that Billy L. Hardin, 62 yrs old of Oolitic, was dealing methamphetamine from his residence in the 200 block of Patton View Drive.

ISP Drug Enforcement Section detectives and members of the ISP Bloomington District A.C.E.S. (Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Section) applied for a search warrant, which was subsequently signed by the Honorable Judge Robert Cline of Superior Court 2.

As troopers were obtaining the signed search warrant, Hardin was observed leaving the residence. Troopers Caleb Garvin and Ian Portteus conducted a traffic stop and detained Hardin.

Sgt. Greg Day, along with Troopers Richard Klun, Chance Humphrey, and Cody Brown executed the search warrant on Patton View Drive where they located a female suspect who was also allegedly involved but due to pre-existing medical conditions she was transported to the hospital where she was admitted.

While searching the residence, troopers located approximately 12 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, digital scales, small plastic baggies, and other evidence of dealing.

Upon completion of the investigation, Hardin was arrested transported to the Lawrence County Jail on the following charges,

• Dealing Methamphetamine Over 10 Grams (Level 2 Felony) 
• Possession of Methamphetamine Over 10 Grams (Level 4 Felony)

This case remains active as pending charges against the Female that was hospitalized are being reviewed by the Lawrence County Prosecutor.

Anyone with illegal drug activity information is requested to call the Indiana State Police Bloomington Post at 812-332-4411, the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office tip line at 812-545-4700, or send an email to drugactivity@lawrencecounty.in.gov. All calls are confidential.

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Juvenile injured in a personal-watercraft accident in Warrick County.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a personal-watercraft (PWC) accident that occurred yesterday morning at Lynnville Park. 

At approximately 9:34 a.m., a 16-year-old female started her PWC on the water at Lynnville Park.

For unknown reasons, the PWC exploded, ejecting her into the water.

A witness, Harrison Raisor, 19, of Evansville, was on the shore nearby, witnessed the explosion, and pulled the juvenile out of the water.

She was taken by StatFlight to St. Vincent Hospital in Evansville where she was being treated for severe back injuries.

The juvenile was wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.

Responding agencies included Warrick County EMS, Lynnville Fire, Elberfeld Fire, and St. Vincent StatFlight.

Last Friday afternoon, Indiana Conservation Officers in District 10, on behalf of the Indiana Turn in a Poacher (TIP) organization, presented 12-year-old Bridger Strickland of Valparaiso with a $500 reward check for his actions which led to charges being filed against an individual for fish and wildlife violations that occurred in Porter County earlier this year.

Strickland observed violations occurring, documented them, and contacted law enforcement. Using the information gathered by Strickland, Indiana Conservation Officers initiated an investigation that led to the identity of the suspect and charges being filed.

TIP is a non-profit conservation organization that protects our fish and wildlife resources by increasing public support and involvement in bringing violators to justice.

A poacher is a thief who illegally steals wildlife that belongs to each Indiana citizen. Indiana DNR manages wildlife for everyone. Every person can help TIP support DNR’s efforts by reporting potential violations. This will help conserve wildlife for future generations.

Call TIP if you see, hear, or learn about a poacher or another fish and wildlife violation. If your “TIP” leads to an arrest, you may receive as much as a $500 reward, and you can remain anonymous. The phone number for the TIP hotline is 1-800-TIP-IDNR.