Indiana State Police Arrest Chicago Woman Who Bit Officer During Traffic Stop

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. — Indiana State Police have arrested a Chicago woman who bit a state trooper during a traffic stop Saturday.

According to a news release, a police officer was on patrol around 6:40 p.m. when he noticed a silver Hyundai with Illinois license plates speeding on Interstate 94. The officer then began trying to catch up to the vehicle.

At the time the officer got into position to conduct a traffic stop, he was traveling at 105 mph. The speed limit on I-94 in that area is 70 mph.

The officer also noticed the vehicle changing lanes without signaling and overtaking other cars from the right lane.

The ISP said the officer eventually conducted a traffic stop with the vehicle, even though the driver did not stop when the officer turned on his lights. Eventually, the car stopped.

ISP said its officer noticed the driver exhibiting signs of impairment during the traffic stop. As the stop progressed, the driver, who was later identified as Shelby E. Foster, 22, of Chicago, became verbally aggressive toward the officer.

The ISP statement said the woman claimed to be a relative of a Chicago police officer. She also demanded that the officer call the relative immediately.

As the stop continued, the officer found two fake Illinois IDs in the woman’s purse.

ISP arrested the woman after the stop, but while they were transporting her to the Porter County Jail, she broke free of the handcuffs police had placed on her. Once she freed one hand from the handcuffs, the officer pulled over to the side of the highway.

According to ISP, the officer then tried to put the handcuffs back on Foster so he could continue transporting her to jail. As he tried to adjust the handcuffs, Foster bit him on the right arm.

The officer was able to handcuff Foster and resume her transport to the jail. However, during the ride to the jail, Foster threatened the officer and his family. She also continued to claim that she was related to several Chicago police officers.

Foster refused to submit to a certified chemical test for intoxication at the Porter County Jail, according to ISP. Police say she also spat on a jail guard during the booking process.

Foster now faces the following preliminary charges:

• Assault by Bodily Fluid (two counts) — Level 6 Felony
• Intimidation — Level 6 Crime
• Assault on a public safety officer in the exercise of his official duties — Level 6 felony
• Resisting Law Enforcement — Class A Misdemeanor
• Reckless Driving — Class A Misdemeanor
• Driving a vehicle while intoxicated and endangering a person — Class A misdemeanor
• Driving a Vehicle While Intoxicated — Class C Misdemeanor
• Possession of False Identification — Class C Misdemeanor