Terre Haute – Just before 9:17 p.m. Wednesday night, Trooper Justin Bell made a traffic stop, near 8th Avenue in Terre Haute, on Rebecca Pryor, 36, of Terre Haute, Indiana. During the course of the traffic stop Trooper Bell discovered that Pryor had an active warrant for Invasion of Privacy out of Vermillion County. Upon Trooper Bell attempting to take Pryor into custody for the warrant, she proceeded to try to punch and bite Trooper Bell, but was unsuccessful. A box trailer was located near the scene of the traffic stop. Pryor quickly moved towards the box trailer and wrapped both her arms and legs around the hitch of the trailer, resisting verbal commands. Trooper Rondell Shelton arrived at the scene to assist. Together, Trooper Bell and Trooper Shelton attempted to remove Pryor from the box trailer hitch, upon which she proceeded to kick Trooper Shelton twice in the chest. Once Pryor was successfully removed from the trailer hitch, she was placed into custody.
Pryor was then transported to a local hospital for a medical evaluation. Pryor was cleared medically and then transported to the Vigo County Jail for processing. While being transported to the jail, Pryor attempted to jump out of the vehicle by opening the door of Trooper Bell’s police cruiser. Vigo County Sheriff’s Department then sent a secured transport vehicle to transport Pryor to the Vigo County Jail. Upon arrival to the Vigo County Jail, and while being processed into booking, Pryor assaulted the jail staff.
No injuries were reported by Trooper Bell, Trooper Shelton, or the Vigo County Jail staff, from this incident.
ASSISTING: Sgt. Kris Fitzgerald, Trp. Nicole Cheeks, Trp. Brad Fyfe, Terre Haute Police Department, Indiana State University Police Department, Terre Haute Fire Department, Vigo County Sheriff’s Department.
CHARGES:
- Resisting Law Enforcement Level (6) Felony
- Battery against public safety official Level (6) Felony
- Escape from lawful detention
- Disorderly Conduct B Misdemeanor
- Criminal Mischief B Misdemeanor
- Active Warrant Vermillion County
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
