Two Tennessee women were arrested after they stole numerous items from an Edinburgh store and then fled in a vehicle from troopers who attempted to stop them on I-65 in Jackson County. The women were taken into custody after being involved in a crash with a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy in Scott County.
The incident began at approximately 4:00 pm Wednesday when a dispatch was issued for a vehicle involved in a theft from the Polo Ralph Lauren Store at the Premium Outlet Mall in Edinburgh. The Kia Optima 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 began looking for the vehicle.
Upon attempting to stop the vehicle, the driver, identified as Tatyana Burgess, age 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 one of those placed near the Austin exit.
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 her vehicle, ending the pursuit. Burgess as well as her front seat passenger, Jernithia Bell, 20, of Nashville, Tennessee were then taken into custody. The Edinburgh Police 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.
Both 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.
Burgess was charged with 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.
On May 26, Indiana State Police arrested two Louisville women on I-65 who had just stolen approximately $7,000 from the same Polo Ralph Lauren store in Edinburgh. Approximately an hour later on that same day, Indiana State Police also attempted to stop another Louisville, woman who allegedly stole thousands of dollars of clothing from the same store. That woman, Ta’neasha Chappell, led and numerous 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.
