State Police arrest two for car theft

VIGO CO., Ind. (WTHI) - UPDATE: Just before 4p.m. on Saturday, December 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 SR 63 crossing the Wabash River.

S/Trp. Schoffstall attempted to stop the truck on 3rd Street (US41) and 8th Avenue in Terre Haute.

The truck turned right onto 8th Ave. and continued westbound to 1st Street.

At 1st 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 Lee Edward Bemis, 25, of Terre Haute and Kristina Gruner, 27, of Clinton had allegedly driven a stolen van from Terre Haute to a business near SR 63 and SR 163 in Clinton (Vermillion County).

The pair allegedly found the 2002 Chevrolet 2500 pickup running and unoccupied, then made their way southbound on SR 63.

Bemis and Gruner were arrested for Vehicle Theft, Resisting Law Enforcement.  Gruner was also found to be wanted on a warrant from Terre Haute City Court for Conversion and Trespass.