BEDFORD – On Thursday, July 8th, around 3:00 p.m., off-duty Trooper Cody Brown was contacted by a resident of Middle Leesville Road, who was out of the state. The resident said that he was getting cell photographs sent to him by his camera system at his property in Lawrence County. It appeared there was a white Grand Prix on his property and that a Honda dirt bike was being stolen.
Trooper Brown responded even though he was not working and began calling for other on-duty troopers to assist. Upon arrival, Trooper Brown discovered the suspects had left the scene with the motorcycle.
Based on photos from the camera system, Trooper Chance Humphrey and Trooper Brown both recognized the Pontiac as belonging to 43-year-old Tiffany Watterson, of Bedford. Furthermore, Troopers were aware of a residence in Kenray Lake where Watterson frequented.
Troopers Humphrey and Brown, along with Sgt. Greg Day and Trooper Caleb Garvin went to the address at Kenray Lake, on Schores Drive. They spotted the Pontiac and made contact with multiple people at the residence. The homeowner gave consent to search the property and the troopers located the stolen motorcycle behind the residence.
The subsequent investigation at the residence resulted in establishing that 25-year-old Taylor F. Carwile, also from Bedford, and another male, who had fled the scene before officers arrived, had stolen the motorcycle.
During the investigation, Watterson showed signs of extreme intoxication and at one point, she started her vehicle and was told by troopers to turn it off or she could be arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. A few minutes later, Watterson again started her car, put it in gear, and attempted to drive away, even though the vehicle was completely blocked. At that time, Trooper Garvin removed Watterson from the vehicle and conducted an OWI investigation.
Watterson refused to consent to a certified chemical test. A search warrant was sought and obtained from the Lawrence County Superior Court II Judge Robert Cline. Troopers Garvin and Sgt. Day transported Watterson to IU Health Bedford where a blood draw was completed. However, once the blood draw was completed, Watterson became belligerent and refused to stop yelling. She resisted officers and would not be quiet after being told numerous times to stop.
Carwile and Watterson were both arrested and transported to the Lawrence County Jail on the following charges.
Carwile faces a felony charge of theft of a motor vehicle.
Watterson was arrested on misdemeanor charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.
The original theft investigation is continuing and more arrests are expected.
