Police: woman stole vehicle because she didn’t want to wait on driver

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. – A woman was arrested after allegedly stealing a vehicle because she didn’t want to wait on the driver any longer, according to the probable cause affidavit.

On November 24, Mishawaka police met with a victim who said her Jeep Patriot had been stolen.

The victim was driving the Patriot with 45-year-old Diane Sheppard when the two traveled to a liquor store and then to the victim’s friend’s house.

The victim left her keys in the running vehicle and went into the friend’s house while Sheppard stayed in the vehicle.

When the victim exited the house, both Sheppard and the Patriot were gone.

The victim didn’t give Sheppard permission to take the vehicle, reports said.

Later, officers with the New Carlisle Police Department found the stolen vehicle and initiated a traffic stop.

The driver was identified as Sheppard.

At the New Carlisle Police Department, Sheppard told officers the victim was driving her around on November 23 when they stopped at a liquor store and a friend’s house.

The victim went inside the house to deliver the alcohol and left Sheppard in the vehicle with the engine running, she said.

Sheppard said she didn’t want to wait any longer and left with the Patriot, reports said.

She did not return the vehicle because she was mad at the victim for being mean to her and for talking to her boyfriend, according to reports.

Sheppard is being charged with two counts of auto theft. One of the charges is connected to a prior conviction of auto theft in September 2020, according to court documents.

Sheppard is due back in court on May 5.