STAFF REPORT
Commercial-News
VERMILLION COUNTY — Just before 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 29, Vigo County Central Dispatch reported a stolen 2002 Chevrolet 2500 pickup was possibly southbound on State Road 63 from Vermillion County.
Minutes later, Indiana State Police Senior Trooper Jason Schoffstall spotted the stolen truck southbound on State Road 63 crossing the Wabash River.
Schoffstall attempted to stop the truck on Third Street (U.S. 41) and Eighth Avenue in Terre Haute. The truck turned right onto Eighth Avenue and continued westbound to First Street. At First Street, the truck continued westbound crashing through the fence of a nearby business and traveling through a wooded area near the Wabash River.
Police units from Indiana State University, Terre Haute Police Department and the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office arrived to assist.
Officers found the truck abandoned and after a nearly 45-minute search of the wooded area on foot, found the suspects lying in the snow near the Wabash River.
Further investigation found the pair had allegedly driven a stolen van from Terre Haute to a business near State Route 63 and State Route 163 in Clinton (Vermillion County). The pair allegedly found the 2002 Chevrolet 2500 pickup running and unoccupied, then made their way southbound on State Route 63.
Arrested were Lee Edward Bemis, 25, of Terre Haute, Ind., and Kristina Gruner, 27, of Clinton, Ind.
Charges were vehicle theft and resisting law enforcement.
Gruner was also found to be wanted on a warrant from Terre Haute city court for conversion and trespass.
Both were incarcerated in the Vigo County Jail.
