Two women were arrested Wednesday, accused of shoplifting at the Outlet Shoppes at Fremont and then leading police on a chase on Interstate 69, the Steuben County Sheriff's Office said.

Police said Shaholony Monique Stanford, 29, of Indianapolis, was charged with theft, possession of stolen property, and resisting law enforcement by vehicle; and Breonda Shontae Easterly-Conwell, 24, of Fort Wayne, was charged with theft and possession of stolen property.

A store at the complex called police about 11:50 a.m. about a possible theft, the sheriff's office said in a statement. When a deputy arrived, it said, he saw the women come out of another store.

The deputy was attempting to approach them when they left, nearly striking the cruiser, the statement said.

It said the suspects went south on I-69, finally stopping at U.S. 6. The sheriff's department said items stolen from at least four stores were recovered, worth more than $1,500.

The department was assisted by Indiana State Police, the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department and the Auburn, Waterloo and Angola police departments.