COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus police officers arrested a local woman Tuesday afternoon after she was accused of stealing a vehicle from a person giving her a ride and later leading CPD officers on a vehicle pursuit after they attempted to stop her.
At approximately 4:25 p.m., CPD officers responded to the 1200 block of Washington Street in regards to a man wanting to report his 2008 Cadillac stolen. The vehicle owner advised that he observed a woman, later identified as Whitney D. Mitchell, 35, of Columbus, who was visibly upset while he was getting fuel at a nearby gas station, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.
The man advised that he offered Mitchell a ride and stopped to purchase cigarettes a short time later. He advised that Mitchell remained inside his vehicle when he went into the store and he noticed that Mitchell and his vehicle were gone after he purchased cigarettes, Harris said.
Officers observed the stolen Cadillac a short time later and attempted to stop it, however, the driver of the stolen vehicle, later identified as Mitchell, refused to stop, Harris said. A vehicle pursuit ensued which ended a short time later in the 1900 block of Union Street.
A high risk traffic stop was conducted and Mitchell, who was the lone occupant in the vehicle, was taken into custody. She was later transported to the Bartholomew County Jail on preliminary charges of felony theft of a motor vehicle and felony resisting law enforcement.
For more on this story, see Thursday’s Republic.
