MUNCIE – Troopers from the Indiana State Police Pendleton District arrested two individuals who fled in a stolen vehicle and were charged with possession of methamphetamine.
On April 28, 2023, at approximately 11:00 p.m., Trooper Michael Thiron received information that a stolen vehicle was southbound on Madison Avenue near Washington Street in Muncie, Indiana. Trooper Thiron located a 2007 black/ silver Chevrolet Silverado matching the description on Madison Avenue and Charles Street. Before initiating the traffic, Trooper Thiron requested the assistance of Sergeant Nick Albrecht.
With both officers behind the vehicle, Trooper Thiron initiated a traffic stop. The truck pulled into a nearby gas station and the troopers began to give verbal commands to the individuals in the vehicle. While Trooper Thiron was giving verbal commands, the vehicle allegedly sped off and a pursuit ensued.
The truck proceeded down the street until it jumped a curb and came to a rolling stop near a tree line. At that point, the driver bailed from the vehicle and fled on foot. Troopers took the two passengers who were still in the vehicle into custody. Officers searched the nearby areas and were unsuccessful in locating the driver.
Trooper Thiron utilized his K-9 partner, Yana, to perform an open-air sniff around the truck. K-9 Yana indicated the presents of narcotics within the vehicle. During the subsequent search of the truck, drug paraphernalia, approximately twelve grams of heroin, methamphetamine, and five grams of marijuana were found.
Both passengers were identified and preliminarily charged with:
Lloyd Junior Panther, 52, of Muncie, Indiana.
- Possession of Methamphetamine, a level 6 Felony.
- Possession of a syringe, a level 6 Felony.
- Possession of paraphernalia, a class C Misdemeanor.
Renee Leah Ruble, 44, of Winchester, Indiana.
- Possession of Methamphetamine, a level 6 Felony.
- Possession of a syringe, a level 6 Felony.
- Possession of paraphernalia, a class C Misdemeanor.
Both subjects were transported to the Delaware County Jail without further incident.
Troopers were assisted by the Delaware County Sheriff’s Department.
