Woman Arrested After Fleeing in Stolen Vehicle, Striking Police Car and Second Vehicle

News Release-Woman Arrested and Charged After Fleeing in a Stolen Vehicle, Striking a Police Car and Other Vehicle, 3.25.26

Yesterday the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office charged a female suspect who was arrested after allegedly fleeing from police in a stolen vehicle over the weekend and striking a police car, second vehicle.

On March 20, 2026, at approximately 8:57 p.m., the Elkhart City 911 Communications Center received a 911 call of a stolen vehicle in progress. The 911 caller reported that a known female suspect took his Toyota Tundra work truck without permission from the 54000 block of Oakwood St, Elkhart. Elkhart Police Department officers dispatched to the call.

At about 9:01 p.m., an officer arrived in the area of Bristol St and Silver St in response to the stolen vehicle in progress call and was traveling northbound on Silver St with the vehicle’s emergency lights fully activated. The suspect Toyota Tundra was traveling southbound on Silver St and struck the driver side of his squad car before continuing southbound. The officer pursued the Tundra as it continued westbound on Bristol St. The Tundra allegedly rear-ended a Honda Fit on Bristol St, forcing that vehicle into the Honda Civic in front of it. No injuries were reported from these crashes.

Shortly thereafter, the suspect pulled the Tundra into the parking lot at 349 W Bristol St location and stopped the vehicle. Officers detained the female suspect without further incident. During the investigation, the driver showed signs of being under the influence. An officer applied for and obtained a blood draw search warrant. Officers transported the suspect to the hospital for the execution of the search warrant; results are still pending.

The suspect, identified as Sarah Bender, 48 years old of Elkhart, was arrested and booked into the Elkhart County Jail on preliminary charges in connection with this incident. On March 24, 2026, the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office charged Ms. Bender with: Auto Theft, a Level 6 Felony; Resisting Law Enforcement, a Level 6 Felony; Operating While Intoxicated-Endangerment, a Class A Misdemeanor; and three counts of Leaving the Scene of an Accident, each a Class B Misdemeanor (case no. 20D03-2603-F6-000342). An Elkhart County judicial officer previously set her bond at $10,000.

Please be advised that under Indiana law an individual is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.