Knox Man Charged with Criminal Confinement After Woman Jumps from Moving Vehicle
A 21-year-old Knox man is facing a felony charge in Porter County after a woman reported jumping from his moving vehicle in Valparaiso during the early morning hours of July 18.
According to court documents, officers from the Valparaiso Police Department responded around 1:37 a.m. to the area of Lincolnway and Marks Road after a female was seen jumping from a moving vehicle. The woman told officers she had just met the driver, Damion M. Stewart, for the first time in person after they had communicated for two days via Snapchat.
The woman said she met Stewart outside the leasing office at Uptown East Apartments on Laporte Avenue to give him a bottle of water because he told her he was intoxicated. She entered the passenger side of his vehicle, leaving the door slightly open. Stewart then reportedly accelerated, causing the door to shut.
She stated she was afraid and told Damion to “stop the car” at least five times so she could get out, but he did not. As they approached the roundabout on Lincolnway, Stewart allegedly struck a curb and continued driving. The woman estimated the vehicle was going 20 to 30 mph when she opened the door and jumped out to escape.
Stewart has been charged with:
• Criminal Confinement Using a Vehicle – Level 5 Felony
He is currently lodged in the Porter County Jail.
