An Indiana couple is lodged in the Lincoln County Detention Center following a traffic stop in North Platte last night.

At around 7:22 p.m., on July 25, an officer on patrol observed a 2002 Ford Escape run the red light at Leota and Dewey Streets.

The officer conducted a traffic stop in the Kwik Stop parking lot, 1421 South Dewey Street, and made contact with the driver, 27-year-old Melissa Sancillo.

The officer requested identification from a male passenger in the vehicle, who handed him a Social Security card.

As the officer attempted to confirm the identities of the vehicle’s occupants, the passenger took off running.  After a short foot pursuit, the officer deployed his taser and was able to apprehend the man, later identified as 42-year-old Troy O’Brian, a name that was different than that which appeared on the Social Security card.

Investigator John Deal says officers believed that Sancillo was under the influence of alcohol, and administered a series of field-sobriety tests, which Deal said confirmed their suspicions.

Further investigation revealed that the Escape had been stolen in Indiana.

Both Sancillo and O’Brian were transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center.  Sancillo was charged with driving under the influence of liquor and possession of a stolen vehicle.  O’Brian was charged with obstructing the police, possession of stolen property and criminal impersonation.

A search of Indiana arrest records showed that O’Brian was arrested in Gary, Indiana on July 13 and charged with false informing and resisting law enforcement with bodily injury.

Deal says the duo gave a few stories about where the were going and where they were from.

The vehicle was impounded.