Eight departments join in car chase through three counties

Update: 

Velpen – Yesterday afternoon at about 4:11 p.m. CDT, Pike County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police and Indiana Conservation Officers responded to residence located at 4713 South 3rd Street in Velpen to investigate a possible intruder.

When officers arrived the front door of the residence was open. A quick search revealed no one was inside the residence, but drug paraphernalia was in plain view. The homeowner, Tina Winchell, 47, was detained while Trooper John Davis left the residence to obtain a search warrant.

Winchell’s sister, Lisa Schaefer, 52, later arrived at the residence driving a 2001 maroon Cadillac.

Winchell grabbed her three-year-old daughter and got inside Schaefer’s car and fled. Schaefer was driving and refused to stop for Pike County Deputy Jeff Boger and Indiana Conservation Officer Trent Stinson.

She led police down several different back roads between Velpen and Huntingburg. Schaefer was driving nearly 100 mph at times and on several different occasions attempted to ram Deputy Boger.

They eventually stopped on US 231 just south of I-64 and were arrested. The three-year-old was released to a family member. Winchell and Schaefer were taken to the Pike County Jail where they are currently being held on bond.

During the search of the residence, officers found over a dozen pieces of aluminum foil with burnt residue, which tested positive for meth. One of the pieces of aluminum foil was located under the child’s bed near some of her toys. Officers also located a glass smoking pipe and glass snorting tubes. There were also multiple open alcohol containers throughout the residence.

Arrested and Charges:

Tina Winchell, 47, 4713 S. 3rd Street, Velpen, IN

Lisa Schaefer, 52, 19748 N. 4th Street, St. Meinrad, IN

The investigation is continuing.

Original Story: At least eight police departments and law enforcement agencies were involved in a three-county chase Tuesday evening that originated in Pike County and ended in Spencer County.

According to Dubois County authorities, they received notification that the Pike County Sheriff’s Department was in pursuit of a 2001 maroon Cadillac sedan with four occupants, including a juvenile, heading into Dubois County at about 7:30 p.m.

Huntingburg police and Dubois County Sheriff’s deputies were waiting at the 500S/12th Street and 400W intersection for the vehicle. However, the driver, 52-year-old Lisa Schaefer, of 19748 N. Fourth Street, St. Meinrad, did not stop, but continued east on 12th Street and then turned south on U.S. 231/Main Street.

Schaefer continued south out of Huntingburg darting in and out of traffic with units in pursuit. As she exited the Huntingburg city limits, near the intersection with Sunshine Drive, a Dubois County Deputy attempted to stop her vehicle. Schaeffer drove into the KARS parking lot and the deputy followed but the ball joint on his police vehicle gave out, disabling the car.

Schaefer continued south on U.S. 231 into Spencer County where she finally pulled over just south of the Denny’s Restaurant on U.S. 231.

Pike County Sheriff’s Department arrested Schaefer for resisting law enforcement with a vehicle and neglect of a dependent, both Class D felonies, as well as criminal recklessness, reckless driving and aiding criminal activity.

A passenger, Tina Winchell, unknown age and address, was also charged with evading law enforcement, neglect of a dependent, resisting law enforcement and possession of paraphernalia.

Charges are also expected to be filed in Dubois County.

Both women were lodged in the Pike County Jail.

The Petersburg Police Department, Indiana Conservation officers, Dale Town Marshals, Santa Claus Police Department and Indiana State Police all assisted in the pursuit and arrests.