Griffith woman charged with robbery, auto theft

A casual dating relationship turned sour when a Griffith woman allegedly tried to steal her date’s car, dragging and injuring him in the process, according to court documents.

The man told police that he and the woman, Jill D. Deluna, 54, had recently met on an online dating site and were in the 8000 block of Robertson Place around 1 p.m. June 30 in his 2012 Nissan Altima, where he was dropping her off at her mother’s home, a probable cause affidavit said. When they pulled up, the man said Deluna refused to get out of the car and reclined the front passenger seat, records said.

The man got out of the car to try and remove Deluna when she then got behind the wheel and tried to speed off while the man was holding on to the car door, the affidavit said.

The man called 911 as soon as he was able to let go of the car and was treated for possible broken ribs, a possible broken finger and other non-life-threatening injuries at Community Hospital in Munster, court records said. Police, meanwhile, found the man’s car in Highland later that evening but are still searching for Deluna, according to the affidavit.

Court records said the man and Deluna had only gone out a couple times prior to the incident, and he identified her through social media and the dating website on which he met her.

Deluna was charged with robbery resulting in bodily injury, a level 3 felony; and auto theft, a level 6 felony. Deluna’s bond has been set at $40,000, and a warrant has been issued for her arrest.