Theft charge tacked on after woman runs into dumpster

A Jasper woman now faces an additional charge of theft from Walmart after she was initially arrested for operating while intoxicated in Huntingburg Monday evening.

Huntingburg officers were dispatched to Pleasant View Drive at about 9:30 p.m. for the report of an intoxicated female driver. According to the caller, the driver had hit a dumpster in the area.

When officers arrived, they found a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix parked on the sidewalk and grass in front of an apartment on Pleasant View Drive. Police made contact with Melinda Eckert, 50, of W. 36th St., Jasper, who told them she had parked the Pontiac there. Officers asked her about hitting a dumpster but said Eckert couldn’t recall striking the dumpster.

Officers had Eckert perform a field sobriety test and determined she was under the influence. She was taken to Memorial Hospital for a chemical test that found that she had tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), opiates, benzodiazepines, and oxycodone in her system.

While Eckert was at the hospital, Jasper police questioned her about a shoplifting incident at Walmart. According to Jasper police, Eckert took $396.90 worth of merchandise into a restroom, placed it in a bag and then left the store without paying for them.

During the interview, Eckert admitted to stealing the items, according to police.

She was charged with operating under the influence and theft and then booked into the Dubois County Security Center.