DATE: March 25, 2026
SUBJECT: Auto Theft Suspect Arrested After Brief Pursuit
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-NR-0325
CONTACT: Lt. Erik Nilssen
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Noah Robinson
On March 25, 2026, at approximately 1:25 a.m., Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Deputies were notified by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office to be on the lookout for a stolen vehicle traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 41 toward Evansville. The vehicle was described as a red 2020 Dodge Challenger bearing a Georgia license plate.
Deputies located the vehicle near Lynch Road and U.S. Highway 41 and confirmed it matched the description. Deputies attempted a felony traffic stop; however, the driver failed to stop and fled southbound, reaching speeds of approximately 90 mph.
The pursuit ended near the intersection of U.S. Highway 41 and Columbia Street when the driver nearly lost control of the vehicle and came to a stop. Deputies, with the assistance of the Evansville Police Department, took the driver, Autumn Deborah Maxwell, into custody without further incident. Maxwell made a post-Miranda statement, admitting to stealing the vehicle. Maxwell was booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail.
ARRESTED:
Autumn Deborah Maxwell, 19 years old, Evansville, IN
CHARGES:
Resisting Law Enforcement (Level 5 Felony)
Auto Theft-Recovered (Level 6 Felony)
Reckless Driving (Class A Misdemeanor)
Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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