Batesville Police Arrest Two After Gas Station Theft

Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 10:46 AM

The vehicle the occupants were driving was allegedly stolen out of Pennsylvania.

Photo by Batesville Police.

(Batesville, Ind.) – Batesville Police made two arrests over the weekend after locating a truck that did not pay for fuel.

Officers responded to a report of a pickup truck trying to flee from the BP on North State Road 229 on Saturday around 9:36 p.m.

The pickup truck was preparing to leave the lot when Batesville Police attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The truck, driven by Joseph A. Burnette, 46, of Decatur, Georgia, failed to stop and continued onto State Road 229 and then onto the eastbound entrance ramp of Interstate 74.

Burnette was stopped on the entrance ramp and taken into custody. He passenger, Amanda L. Stayton, 38, of Ludlow, Kentucky, was also detained.

Police say the duo failed to pay for over $100 of fuel at the BP. After further investigation, it was determined that the pickup truck they were driving was stolen out of Pennsylvania.

Burnette is charged with Theft (Class A Misdemeanor), Resisting Law Enforcement (Level 6 Felony), and Auto Theft (Level 6 Felony).

Stayton is facing charges for Theft (Level 6 Felony), False Identity Statement (Class A Misdemeanor) and an active 2011 warrant out of Dearborn County.

Both individuals were transported to Ripley County Jail.