Full Notification

Tippecanoe County-Yesterday at approximately 7:30 p.m. on I-65 SB near the 167 MM (that is one mile south of the SR 38/168 exit), troopers from the Lafayette Post were responding to a unknown type of crash and found drugs and ended up, arresting two people.

Troopers Ben Rector and Tyler Bentlage arrived to find a gray 2015 Lexus with three people standing outside the vehicle.  The Lexus was stuck on the right shoulder in the mud of I-65 and had slight damage to the driver’s side door.  Upon further investigation by Trooper Rector, it was determined that probable criminal activity was occurring or had occurred.  Methamphetamine and syringes were found inside the vehicle and as the two troopers were preparing to place all three into custody, the two males took off running, crossing the interstate in front of ongoing traffic and into the cornfield with one trooper in chase.

The trooper gave chase into the corn where he lost both suspects.  Troopers asked for assistance from other officers and Tippecanoe County and Lafayette Police Departments sent officers and K-9’s to assist in locating the two suspects who had ran.  Trooper Rector placed the female, identified as Brianna A. Pettiato, 27 from Sunrise, FL in custody and placed her in the front seat of his car.  While Trooper Rector was securing the scene, Pettiato was able to unbuckle her seatbelt, open the door and took off running while handcuffed behind her back.  Trooper Rector was able apprehend her again and take her into custody.  She was transported to Tippecanoe County Jail and charged with:

Possession of Meth a Class 6 Felony

Resisting Law Enforcement a Class A Misdemeanor

Visiting a Common Nuisance a Class B Misdemeanor

Escape a Class 5 Felony

False Informing a Class B Misdemeanor

Possession of a Syringe a Class 6 Felony

After about an hour searching for the other two suspects, the search was called off.  Later that evening around midnight, Tippecanoe County received a call of a subject walking around the SR 38 underpass on I-65.  Troopers and County Deputies checked the area and located one of the two subjects hiding under the railroad underpass of I-65 near SR 38 exit.  Trooper Dexter Whitten located Ladarious R. Xavier, 19 of Hollywood, FL.  Xavier was taken into custody and charged with Resisting Law enforcement and Visiting a Common Nuisance and lodged into the Tippecanoe County Jail.  The third suspect is still at large.  The investigation is continuing.

Suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Sorry I have no pictures.

-30-

                                              RILEY