Two Tennessee Women Arrested Following Theft and Pursuit

Theft May Be Connected To Ones From Last Month

(Jackson County Jail Photo)

(Jackson Co Jail Photo)

Wednesday afternoon, two Tennessee women were arrested on numerous charges after they stole numerous items from an Edinburgh, Indiana 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, Indiana.

The incident began at approximately 4:00 pm today 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 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, age 22, Antioch, Tennessee accelerated and fled from Trp. Miller.  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, Indiana 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, age 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. 

Both Burgess and Bell were transported to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, Indiana 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, Indiana related to the theft.

Both Burgess and Bell were jailed, pending their initial appearance in the Jackson County Circuit Court. 

On May 26, 2021, Trp. Korry Clark arrested two Louisville, Kentucky women on I-65 in Jackson County, Indiana who had just stolen approximately $7,000 from the same Polo Ralph Lauren store in Edinburgh, Indiana.  Approximately an hour later on that same day, Trp. 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 Trp. Clark and numerous other officers on a pursuit through three counties before finally crashing and being arrested in southern Clark County, Indiana.

Officers believe all three of these incidents may be connected.

Trp. 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.