'Abandoned' vehicle scam in Lyon County becomes arrest for Evansville woman

A vehicle that appeared to be abandoned in Lyon County turned into a short pursuit and the arrest of an Indiana woman.

While patrolling near the Eureka Campground at Lake Barkley, Lyon County Sheriff Brent White located an abandoned pickup along KY 1271 Sunday. The truck had its hood up and was parked in a lane of travel.

Sheriff White said that he had seen a woman walking just before finding the truck. He went back to speak to the woman. She reportedly apologized for having the truck blocking a lane before running back to it, closing the hood, and driving off.   

Sheriff White gave chase northbound on KY 1271. The woman, identified as 41-year-old Emily A. Dunaway of Evansville, stopped near Chicken Ridge Road where she was arrested.

During the investigation, it was determined that Dunaway had allegedly used the same method to steal the vehicle of a good Samaritan who tried to help her in Hopkins County. That theft resulted in a multi-county pursuit and Dunaway's arrest. 

Dunaway was charged with improper parking on a traveled highway, expired out-of-state registration, failure of owner to maintain insurance, and driving on a DUI suspended license.

Dunaway was taken to the Crittenden County Jail.