Off-Duty Trooper Intervenes in Shoplifting Incident
Vigo County—Yesterday morning at 10:18, off-duty ISP Trooper Erik Smith was shopping at a local retailer near US 41 and Springhill Road, when a store employee notified Smith of a potential shoplifter.
The suspect was reported to have taken two pair of Nike brand shoes and quickly exited the store.
Trooper Smith exited the store, identified himself as an Indiana State Police trooper, and attempted to stop the man as he was leaving on a bicycle. The man had too much of a lead to apprehend on foot and failed all commands to stop. Using his police commission, Trooper Smith began following the male northbound on US 41 at which time on duty Master Trooper Hans Nowak was closing in on the suspect near US 41 and McCallister Drive.
The suspect failed to notice a pickup truck stopped and struck the pickup in the rear causing the suspect to fall from the bike. He was immediately taken into custody by the troopers as two witnesses to the theft observed the apprehension.
Robert Doss, age 27, of Terre Haute, IN., was taken into custody and incarcerated in the Vigo County Jail on one count of misdemeanor Conversion and one count of misdemeanor Resisting Law Enforcement.
No pictures.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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SGT. JOE WATTS
