LAWRENCE, Ind. -- An Indianapolis woman is now facing charges in connection with a hit-and-run that damaged a landmark bakery and café in Lawrence.
Linda Navarra, 46, faces multiple charges, including felony failure to remain at the scene of an accident. The charge became a felony because of a drunken driving conviction within the past five years.
The crash occurred just before 8 a.m. on Memorial Day at the Heidelberg Haus in Lawrence. Police say Navarra, the sole occupant of the vehicle, drove through the plate glass window and then tried to back out. She then grabbed her purse and fled on foot.
"It was stupid," said café owner Jueren Jungbauer. "In hindsight, you know, she will probably spend a year in jail instead of staying here and saying, 'I made a mistake.' And that's it."
The owner of the car reported it stolen to police after he loaned it to Navarra and didn't get it back.
"[I'm] disappointed," said the car's owner, Graydon Leucht. "I know her and she was a friend. And then she took the car. I was surprised more than anything."
Lawrence police say the video of the crash that capture Navarra behind the wheel was not only critical to making an identification, but also clearly putting her at the scene of the crash.
"It appears that she was driving on a suspended license," said Deputy Lawrence Police Chief Gary Woodruff. "And that could be the motivation for walking away. Not a good one. It's state law that you must remain at the scene of a property damage or a personal injury accident."
Lawrence police say there is an active warrant for Navarra's arrest. If you have information about her whereabouts, call Crime Stoppers at 262-TIPS.
