Two Juveniles Arrested After Fleeing Trooper in Stolen Car

KOKOMO, IN -  On Sunday, January 25, 2009, at approximately 2:51 a.m., Indiana State Trooper Josh Maller attempted to stop a 2002 Ford Mustang for an equipment violation on Markland Ave. west of U.S. 31 in Kokomo. When Trooper Maller activated his emergency lights the Ford accelerated refusing to stop.

The Ford eventually led officers eastbound on State Road 22 reaching speeds up to 120 miles per hour. The Ford drove over stop sticks that had been deployed by the Howard County Sheriff’s Department near County Road 300 East. Despite having both front tires deflated, the Ford continued fleeing into Tipton County at speeds over 100 miles per hour.  

Moments after troopers had terminated the ten minute pursuit; the Ford was found abandoned on Tipton County Road 200 West south of County Road 200 North. Officers located the16-year-old passenger, a Tipton County, IN, resident hiding in a garage near the area where the Ford was abandoned. Later this morning, the16-year-old driver, from rural Greentown, IN, contacted police and surrendered to Indiana State Police Sergeant Jeremy Kelly. 

The Ford Mustang was reported stolen from a rural Greentown, IN, home. The driver will face felony charges for possession of stolen property and resisting law enforcement utilizing a vehicle. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving. The passenger faces a felony count for possession of stolen property and a misdemeanor charge for resisting law enforcement. 

Trooper Maller was assisted by Trooper Josh Tarrh, Trooper Todd Trottier, Probationary Trooper A.J. Coffee, ISP Aviation Section, the Tipton County Sheriff’s Department, the Howard County Sheriff’s Department, the Kokomo Police Department, and the Atlanta Police Department.