Florida Fugitive Captured in McCalla

BIRMINGHAM, AL - The Jefferson County Sheriff's Department has reported that a 47-year-old woman wanted for stealing a car in Florida was captured in McCalla yesterday morning.

Just after 10:30 yesterday morning a deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a silver Honda at Old Tuscaloosa Highway and Kimbrell-Cutoff Road. The driver refused to stop initially . and then eventually stopped on Eastern Valley Road. As the deputy got out of his patrol unit, the driver sped off traveling east on Eastern Valley Road. The deputy followed as the car turned on to Coleman Lake Road. The driver stopped the car at Coleman Lake Road and Ashton Way before fleeing on foot leaving two passengers in the car.

Other deputies arrived on scene and detained the two passengers, an adult male and an adult female. A K9 search team arrived to conduct a search for the driver, which tracked the driver into a wooded area where he was found hiding in a pile of brush. He was taken into custody and returned to the scene.

The female passenger was identified as 47-year-old Katrina Lynn Loperena of Brookwood, Alabama. She was found to have an outstanding felony warrant from Florida for stealing the car. She was arrested and charged with being a fugitive from justice and receiving stolen property. She remains in the Jefferson County Jail with no bond.

The driver was identified as Loperena’s boyfriend, 42-year-old Jason Thomas Green of Duncanville, Alabama. He was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property and attempting to elude. He reported that he needed medical attention and was taken to an area hospital. Green will be transferred to the Jefferson County jail upon release from the hospital. His bond is set at $15,500. The adult male passenger was not charged and was released.

Photo of Katrina Lynn Loperena courtesy of Jefferson County Sheriff's Office