At approximately 3:50 am today, Deputy Robert Schmitt was on patrol traveling south on north Saint Joseph Avenue when he observed a 2006, black, Dodge Charger traveling northbound. Deputy Schmitt knew this to be a vehicle which matched the description of a vehicle stolen from a north side business on Saturday evening. Deputies also knew the vehicle was stolen by a 14 year old, white male juvenile.
Deputy Schmitt followed the vehicle through the Darmstadt area and confirmed that the vehicle was the stolen vehicle. Deputy Schmitt with the assistance of several other deputies who had arrived in the area, attempted to stop the vehicle in front of the 4H Center. The vehicle did not stop and started fleeing recklessly at a high rate of speed down US Highway 41 North.
When the suspect vehicle approached the intersection of US Highway 41 North and State Road 57, deputies had deployed “stop sticks†and the suspect vehicle struck them, deflating the tires. The suspect continued to drive at a high rate of speed, on shredded tires, through a north side neighborhood.
Eventually the suspect vehicle traveled down a dead end street. When the suspect driver realized he could not go in further, he started to drive through residential backyards until he finally came to a stop. At that time, he and another 14 year old juvenile passenger fled the scene, north through the woods.
Deputy Schmitt with his K9 partner, “Bossâ€, were able to track the suspects. The juvenile passenger was captured a short time later without incident and was placed in temporary custody. Deputy Schmitt and K9 Deputy Boss, continued to track the suspect driver north through the woods to a north side residence.
Deputies spoke with the homeowners who stated the suspect had called the house however the suspect was not there. The homeowners did direct deputies to a residence where they knew the suspect went to.
When deputies arrived at the residence where they believed the suspect to be, they spoke with the homeowners who cooperated and stated the suspect was inside. Once inside, the deputies located the juvenile suspect hiding in a closest. The juvenile suspect surrendered without incident and was taken into custody.
After deputies contacted the juvenile suspect’s parents, he was transported to the Youth Correctional Center in Evansville. The juvenile passenger was released to his parents. The juvenile suspect, who resides from Evansville, was charged with the following crimes:
Auto Theft – Class D felony
Resisting Law Enforcement – Class D felony
Criminal Recklessness – Class A misdemeanor
Reckless Driving – Class A misdemeanor
Growing up (not that long ago), I wouldn’t even THINK of doing a stunt like this to my parents. If this were to have happened back then,I’d certainly have begged an officer to stay in jail. The punishment at home from mom & dad and the shame of the community would be far more severe than anything a judge could throw at me. Times have changed I see.
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