Ann M. Warner, 58, of Marion, Indiana, is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after police allege she led officers on a high-speed pursuit in a stolen pickup truck that exceeded 100 mph, crashed into a Jasper County cornfield, and then attempted to evade capture by hiding in the field before being apprehended by a K-9.
According to court documents, the incident began around 5:58 p.m. on July 19 after authorities were notified that the owner of a stolen red Chevrolet pickup truck was pursuing the vehicle southbound on Clay Street in Lake County toward Jasper County. As the vehicle crossed into Jasper County, Clay Street became County Road 1200 West.
A Jasper County deputy encountered the pickup traveling eastbound on County Road 1200 North, approximately one-half mile west of County Road 1000 West, traveling 87 mph in a posted 40 mph zone. The deputy activated emergency lights and siren and attempted a traffic stop, but investigators allege Warner refused to stop and accelerated away.
Police allege Warner ignored multiple stop signs, passed other motorists at high speed, drove on the wrong side of the roadway and reached speeds of more than 100 mph during the pursuit. Investigators said she disregarded stop signs at County Road 1000 West, the railroad crossing south of County Road 1300 North, County Road 1300 North, and County Road 1400 North, creating a substantial risk of bodily injury to others.
The pursuit ended just south of County Road 1500 North, where investigators allege Warner lost control of the pickup and drove into a cornfield, causing crop damage. Police said Warner immediately exited the truck and fled on foot through a wooded, swampy area before hiding in an adjacent cornfield.
Officers from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, DeMotte Police Department, and Jasper County Sheriff’s Office established a perimeter around the fields. A Lake County Sheriff’s Office K-9 team, along with a drone and police helicopter, was deployed to search for Warner. Authorities said the K-9 tracked Warner to the cornfield, where she refused repeated commands to show her hands before she was taken into custody.
Warner was transported by ambulance to Franciscan Health Rensselaer for treatment of injuries sustained during the incident. After being medically cleared, she was transported to the Jasper County Jail.
Charges filed July 21, 2026:
Resisting Law Enforcement Creating a Substantial Risk of Injury — Level 5 Felony
Criminal Vandalism — Level 6 Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement Using a Vehicle — Level 6 Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement (Fleeing on Foot) — Class A Misdemeanor
Conversion — Class A Misdemeanor
Leaving the Scene of a Property-Damage Accident — Class B Misdemeanor
Reckless Driving Causing Property Damage — Class B Misdemeanor
Reckless Driving (Unreasonable Speed Endangering Safety) — Class C Misdemeanor
Reckless Driving (Unsafe Lane Movement) — Class C Misdemeanor
