Stolen vehicle recovered, two arrested after short chase

Friday, October 18, 2019 at 10:32 AM

By Larry Duke

Both subjects from Michigan

On Tuesday, October, 15, 2019, at 9:11 PM Sergeant Todd Beam of the North Vernon Police Department was able to arrest Dustin N. Stump, 36, of Quincy MI and Matthew W. Farlin, 33, of Bronson MI, after the pair fled from a traffic stop and abandoned the stolen vehicle they were in.

The event began when Sergeant Beam observed a blue 1998 Jeep Cherokee with an equipment violation and initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. The vehicle pulled over into the First Financial Bank parking lot at North State Street and Franklin Street.

As Sergeant Beam was approaching the Jeep to make his first contact with the driver it drove away rapidly and turned north in the alley between North State Street and North Elm Street.

Sergeant Beam paralleled the fleeing vehicle on North Elm Street. At about Meadow Lane and North Elm Street Sergeant Beam observed two people running across the street and through yards. Sergeant Beam stopped and detained these two and was able to link them with items left in the Jeep that was located in the back yard of a home nearby. Sergeant Beam also learned that the vehicle was reported stolen from Michigan. The two people, Mr. Stump and Mr. Farlin, were arrested.

The Jeep had damage to the steering column and had a bottle of what appeared to be bottled urine, a misdemeanor in Indiana. Charging information for both arrested persons below.

Dustin N. Stump, 36, of Quincy Michigan

Resisting Law Enforcement (in a vehicle) Level 6 felony
Possession of stolen vehicle Level 6 felony
Criminal trespass A misdemeanor
Disorderly conduct B misdemeanor
Criminal mischief B misdemeanor
Possession of a device to cheat a drug screen / urine B misdemeanor

Matthew W. Farlin, 33, of Bronson Michigan

*All persons listed are innocent until proven guilty in court.