Thank you note found in stolen vehicle after suspects are captured

Demetrius Crafton Jycarrea Williams
ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. – Two people were arrested on Monday after allegedly stealing a car and running from police, according to the probable cause affidavit.

On May 9, deputies with the St. Joseph County Police Department received a Flock Camera notification about a stolen gold 2004 Kia Optima in the area of Darden Road.

Deputies saw the Optima on S.R. 933 near Cleveland Road and began pursuing it.

When deputies turned on the emergency lights, the Optima accelerated, reports said.

Deputies continued to follow the Optima when it ran off the road near the entrance of St. Patrick’s County Park on Laurel Road, went under a fence, and came to a stop at the edge of a large pond.

Three men got out of the Optima and began running, two heading north and one heading west.

Law enforcement followed the two heading north and eventually captured them.

The men were later identified as Demetrius Crafton and Jycarrea Williams.

Williams said Crafton was taking him and his cousin home from Clay High School and he didn’t know why Crafton didn’t stop when police initiated a traffic stop, according to reports.

Williams said he ran from the vehicle after it crashed because he had weed on him, reports said.

Deputies searched Williams and found a plastic bag containing a substance that field-tested positive for marijuana.

Inside the Optima was a note that said, “Thanks for the Car, Free Car!” as well as a passport and car registration for the owner of the vehicle.

The owner of the passport and registration was the person who reported the stolen vehicle to the South Bend Police Department.

Crafton was arrested on two counts of resisting law enforcement and auto theft.

Williams was arrested on the charges of resisting law enforcement, auto theft, and possession of marijuana.

Both are being held at the St. Joseph County Jail on no bond.

UPDATE: In October 2022, Williams was sentenced to one year in jail with 355 days suspended after pleading guilty to resisting law enforcement as part of a plea agreement. His charges for possession of marijuana and auto theft were dismissed as part of the agreement. Williams received five days of jail credit and will serve 355 days of probation. 

In March 2023, Crafton was sentenced to eight days in jail after pleading guilty to one count of resisting law enforcement as part of a plea agreement. His charges for resisting law enforcement with a vehicle and auto theft were dismissed as part of the agreement. He also received four days of jail credit. 

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