ISP Vehicle Struck by Theft Suspect
Lawrence County—On Friday afternoon, June 5, at 4:35, Indiana State Police Sergeant Greg Day was southbound on Avoca-Eureka Road near John Kern Lane looking for the suspect and suspect vehicle in an attempted vehicle theft that just occurred in the 8000 block of State Road 158. Sergeant Day met the suspect vehicle, a 1998 Jeep Cherokee, near the intersection of Avoca-Eureka Road and John Kern Lane. Sergeant Day activated his emergency lighting facing west on John Kern Lane and the Jeep entered a field, completed a couple of circles commonly known as “doughnuts” and then drove southbound directly toward the ISP 2013 Dodge Charger. Sergeant Day was unable to move in time and the suspect Jeep struck the ISP vehicle on the passenger side, disabling it. The Jeep then fled southbound on Avoca-Eureka Road toward SR 158. Sergeant Day was taken by troopers to IU Health of Bedford for treatment of neck and back pain and later released.
A few hours later, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office spotted the vehicle and originated a pursuit eventually ending when the suspect vehicle, 1998 Jeep, crashed near Owensburg. The male driver fled on foot and eluded capture. A female passenger was arrested by the GCSO. Questions about the pursuit and crash should be directed to the Greene County Sheriff’s Office.
The male suspect was eventually apprehended by the Bloomington Police Department after a foot chase during the morning hours of June 6. Inquiries about the apprehension should be directed to their agency. The suspect arrested was 42-year-old Clarence Butler Jr. of Bloomington, IN.
The Indiana State Police investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending. The ISP involved crash was investigated by Trooper Matthew Harris. Assisting were multiple troopers from the Bloomington Post, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bloomington Police Department.
No pictures of the incident are available. A mug shot may be available at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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