COLUMBUS, Ind. — Indiana State Police arrested two Tennessee women on multiple charges after they were accused of stealing numerous items from a store at the Indiana Premium Outlets in Edinburgh and fleeing in a vehicle down I-65 to Jackson County.
The women were taken into custody after being involved in a crash with a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy in Scott County, said Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, Indiana State Police spokesman.
The incident began at approximately 4 p.m. Wednesday when a dispatch was issued for a vehicle involved in a theft from the Polo Ralph Lauren store at the outlet mall in Edinburgh. The Kia Optima passenger car occupied by two women was reported to have gotten on I-65 southbound from Edinburgh. Numerous troopers from the Indiana State Police as well as officers from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and Crothersville Police Department began looking for the vehicle involved.
Trooper Randel Miller soon observed a vehicle matching the description traveling southbound near the 40 mile marker in Jackson County. Upon attempting to stop the vehicle, the driver, identified as Tatyana J. Burgess, 22, Antioch, Tennessee accelerated and fled. Officers from other agencies attempted to place tire deflation devices on the road at other locations. Burgess eventually struck a tire deflation device placed by an officer with the Austin Police Department near the Austin exit in northern Scott County.
Near the 32 mile marker, Burgess suddenly applied the brakes while on the right shoulder of I-65. Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy Zach Elliott’s Chevrolet Tahoe collided with the rear of Burgess’ vehicle, ending the pursuit.
Burgess as well as her front seat passenger, Jernithia A. Bell, 20, Nashville, Tennessee were then taken into custody. The Edinburgh Police Department responded to the scene and collected numerous items allegedly stolen from the Polo Ralph Lauren store. Items believed to have been stolen from other stores were also located in the vehicle.
Burgess and Bell were transported to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour after complaining of minor injuries. They were both checked out and released from the hospital before being transported to the Jackson County Jail where they were incarcerated.
Burgess was initially incarcerated on charges of resisting law enforcement in a vehicle, possession of stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, and reckless driving. Bell was incarcerated on charges of possession of stolen property. Both Burgess and Bell may also face additional charges in Bartholomew County related to the theft, Wheeles said.
Both Burgess and Bell were jailed, pending their initial appearance in the Jackson County Circuit Court.
On May 26, Trooper Korry Clark arrested two Louisville, Kentucky women on I-65 in Jackson County who were accused of stealing approximately $7,000 from the same PoTrp. Clark attempted to stop another Louisville, Kentucky woman who allegedly stole thousands of dollars of clothing from the same store. That woman, Ta’neasha Chappell, led Clark and numerous other officers on a pursuit through three counties before finally crashing and being arrested in southern Clark County.
Officers believe all three of these incidents may be connected.
Miller was assisted by numerous troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles and Indiana State Police-Sellersburg Posts, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Crothersville Police Department, Austin Police Department, and Edinburgh Police Department.
For more on this story, see Friday’s Republic.
