Driver of Stolen Motorcycle Eludes Trooper
Vigo County—This afternoon at 4:03, Indiana State Police Master Trooper Jason Schoffstall was on routine patrol and stopped for a red light in the northbound lanes of US 41 at Ft. Harrison Road. The driver of a Harley Davidson motorcycle pulled up next to M/Trooper Schoffstall and the cycle was adorned with an obviously expired Indiana registration plate dated 1996. As M/Trooper Schoffstall attempted to stop the cycle with his emergency lights, the driver fled eastbound on Ft. Harrison, ran a red light at 13th Street, and continued northbound on 13th Street. The driver then turned westbound on Haythorne Avenue and traveled through a grassy area to the southwest and onto a railroad track area where he ultimately lost control. After crashing the cycle, the driver fled on foot westbound into a wooded area and was never apprehended.
The driver was believed to be a white male in his late 40s or 50s, possibly a goatee, gray/black hair, blue jean shorts, and blue T-shirt. The driver initially appeared to be planning to turn west on Ft. Harrison from US 41.
The 2016 Harley Davidson cycle was stolen from the ISU Driver’s Ed property near the Vigo County fairgrounds sometime Friday, June 24 after 6p.m. or early am on the 25th, and reported stolen to the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office. The cycle was owned by Wabash Valley Harley Davidson.
A picture of the bike from today’s scene is attached.
Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact ISP Trooper Jason Schoffstall at the Putnamville Post at 765-653-4114.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Auth/Sergeant Joe Watts
