By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Michael Lee Eppenbaugh

Deanna Marie Geberin

WARSAW — Two people from Warsaw are facing charges after driving a stolen vehicle during a pursuit with state police.

Michael Lee Eppenbaugh, 41, 1610 Tippecanoe Drive Apartment B., Warsaw, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, a level 4 felony; operating a vehicle after a lifetime suspension, a level 5 felony; and resisting law enforcement and theft, both level 6 felonies.

Deanna Marie Geberin, 29, 1006 W. 300N, Warsaw, is charged with possession of cocaine, a level 6 felony; possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor; and possession of marijuana, a class A misdemeanor.

On Feb. 12, an Indiana State Police trooper was in the area of CR 150W and US 30 when he noticed a white Chevrolet Tahoe with a false registration. After noticing the Tahoe’s operator driving in a way to avoid him, the trooper attempted to pull the Tahoe over.

According to court documents, a vehicle pursuit began. The driver, later identified as Eppenbaugh, passed a vehicle in a no-passing zone and disregarded a stop sign. Eppenbaugh also drove at speeds way above posted speed limits, accelerating to over 100 miles per hour. Eppenbaugh drove through fields and continued driving recklessly until the Tahoe got stuck in the mud. He then fled the scene on foot.

Geberin was a passenger in the Tahoe and stayed at the scene.

Upon checking the Tahoe’s registration, officers learned the Tahoe was reported stolen to the Warsaw Police Department on Jan. 17. While searching the vehicle, officers found 0.5 gram of cocaine, marijuana, and a shotgun.

Geberin told the trooper she received the cocaine from Eppenbaugh and they both used methamphetamine two days ago. She also said she smoked marijuana earlier in the day.

Officers attempted to further pursue Eppenbaugh following the incident but could not locate him. Eppenbaugh’s driving status is a habitual traffic offender for life, having been convicted of operating under a lifetime suspension in Whitley County in April 2011.

Eppenbaugh is also classified as a serious violent felon, having a prior conviction for burglary in Kosciusko County in June 2018. He was also previously convicted of resisting law enforcement in October 2022.

At the time of this incident, Eppenbaugh had a pending criminal case for resisting law enforcement and methamphetamine possession.

Geberin has prior convictions for syringe and marijuana possession.

Eppenbaugh was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on March 21. Geberin has already been arrested and has a pretrial conference on April 17.