A Switz City woman was arrested March 9 after authorities located a vehicle reported stolen out of Johnson County being driven in Bloomfield.

According to court documents, Stephanie J. Hawkins, 41, of Switz City, faces a preliminary charge of auto theft, a Level 6 felony.

Detective Shawn Cullison of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department reported that law enforcement had received information that a vehicle reported stolen from Johnson County might be in Greene County.

Investigators learned that Hawkins and her boyfriend had borrowed a red 2015 Jeep Compass from a male individual residing in Franklin on Feb. 25 with an agreement to return the vehicle by Feb. 28. According to the affidavit, the vehicle’s owner was unable to contact Hawkins after the agreed return date and the vehicle was reported stolen on March 5.

Cullison reported he spotted the Jeep traveling north on Washington Street in Bloomfield around 6:20 p.m. March 9. After confirming the license plate matched the stolen vehicle report, the detective turned around and followed the vehicle as it traveled west through Bloomfield and onto State Road 54.

With assistance from Bloomfield Police Department Officer Jordan Brant, authorities conducted a traffic stop near the White River bridge west of Bloomfield.

Hawkins was identified as the driver and detained.

After being advised of her rights, Hawkins told officers she and the passenger had borrowed the vehicle and planned to return it that evening. Hawkins also stated her phone had been broken and she was unable to contact the vehicle’s owner.

During a search of the vehicle, officers located two cellphones, both of which appeared to be operational, according to the report.

Hawkins was taken into custody March 9 and later appeared in Greene Superior Court for an initial hearing on March 11.