Motorist’s car trouble leads to Bartholomew Co. arrest

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – One person was arrested after a Bartholomew County Sheriff Deputy offered to help a motorist experiencing car trouble.

According to the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, 41-year-old Tamara Watkins was in a parking lot looking under the hood of her car when Deputy Matt Bush offered Watkins assistance.

Police said that Watkins appeared nervous and initially gave Deputy Bush a false name.

Later Watkins told the deputy her real name and that she had an outstanding warrant.

It was soon discovered that Watkins actually had two outstanding warrants. One out of Bartholomew County for failure to appear on conversion, the other was from Jennings County for dangerous drugs.

Also, during the course of the deputies’ investigation, he discovered that the license plate did not match vehicle Watkins was driving.  Before the vehicle was towed, methamphetamine, syringes, and other drug paraphernalia was found inside the car.

Watkins was taken to the Bartholomew County Jail.  She now faces several preliminary charges including for outstanding warrants, possession of methamphetamine, false informing and others.

The incident happened just after 11 p.m. Thursday in a parking lot at West Lewis Place and North U.S. 31 in Bartholomew County.