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An Indiana woman pulled over for a cop after he signaled for her to do so. But that was the end of her cooperation. One sword, a gunshot, a stolen police car, and a high-speed chase later, the wild joy rider is looking at a stack of felony charges. 

An Indiana woman started a cross-border car chase after pulling a sword on an officer and stealing his police car

There’s a town in Indiana by the name of Santa Claus. Seriously. It’s home to nearly 3,000 Hoosiers and, of course, a year-round Christmas theme. It’s also, however, home to a woman who couldn’t seem to stop making bad decisions and committing crimes.

Nina Adalina Devillez, a resident of Santa Claus, pulled over when she saw the “berries and cherries” in her rearview mirror. A Chandler Police Department officer approached the car, likely thinking this would be a manageable traffic stop. Devillez had different plans, though. At some point during the traffic stop, Devillez brandished a “sword” and threatened the Chandler police officer with it.  

The police officer shot Devillez during the escalation, but that wasn’t enough to stop the Santa Claus resident. She reportedly stole the officer’s police car and ran like hell, per the Courier & Press. The wild, Hollywood-esque escape attempt prompted other police vehicles to give chase.

Law enforcement chased Devillez in her ill-gotten police car across state lines into Kentucky. More troublingly, the police affidavit says that the wounded criminal hit speeds of around 130 mph during the chase. And that was likely about as fast as the stolen police SUV could take her. Ford says the 3.3L V6-powered Police Interceptor Utility will reach 136 mph. Mercifully, the chase came to an end over 30 miles away from Santa Claus in Daviess County, a Kentucky county southwest of Louisville.

First responders took Devillez to an Owensboro hospital in Daviess County, where she is recovering from her injuries. However, and predictably so, she’s looking at some serious repercussions for her oddball joyride. According to court records, Devillez is facing several Level 5 and Level 6 felony charges, including auto theft, battery against a public safety officer, and resisting law enforcement using a vehicle.

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Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman is a MotorBiscuit Staff Writer, an admitted petrolhead, and an avid motorcyclist. Erik covers Tesla daily, including the Model Y and Cybertruck. Erik also covers Toyota, often discussing the Tundra, Tacoma, RAV4, 4Runner, and Camry. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and Humvees. Erik is a United States Marine Corps combat veteran, former water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Austin.