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Last updated on Monday, April 23, 2012
(PRINCETON) - A rural Petersburg man is lodged in the Gibson County Jail after a Wednesday crime spree.
Andrea McCann, of Washington Times-Herald, reports around 9:20 a.m. Justin Allen Gordon, 24, entered the German American Bank on West Broadway Street in Princeton and attempted to rob the tellers at gunpoint. He fled the scene in a stolen pickup truck, leading police on a roundabout chase before crashing in Vanderburgh County, then taking off on foot. Princeton Officer Travis Lashbrook apprehended him at that point.
"When he went into the bank he had pulled a stocking cap over his face," said Princeton Police Chief William George. "He displayed a shotgun, racked a shell into the chamber and ordered the employees to get down on the floor.
"In the meantime, as he was standing there in the bank, I don't think he realized somebody was in another office. When that person stepped out to see what was going on, he exited the bank."
Chief George said Gordon fled without taking any money. A bank employee got a partial plate number and physical description of an older white pickup truck with a bumper hitch on the rear leaving the bank parking lot.
Gordon drove eastbound on SR 64 through town, according to George, and Gibson County Sheriff's Dispatch broadcast the attempted robbery. After hearing the dispatch, Gibson County Sheriff George Ballard observed a vehicle matching the description coming off a side road at Wheeling.
Ballard requested assistance and stayed in position, following the pickup through the country east toward Oatsville, then switching back west toward U.S. 41, according to George. Upon reaching U.S. 41, Gordon drove south in the northbound lanes until he crashed at Baseline Road in Vanderburgh County.
"ISP did a pit maneuver," George said, explaining that's when one vehicle bumps another to try to spin it. "He spun and hit the guardrail."
Gordon exited the vehicle there and officers pursued him on foot until Officer Lashbrook caught up with Gordon and used a Taser on him so he could be apprehended.
Oakland City and Fort Branch police departments also were involved in the chase.
Following an initial hearing Thursday afternoon, Gordon is being held without bond at the Gibson County Jail on charges of resisting arrest with a vehicle, robbery without a weapon/threat of force and criminal recklessness.
According to George, Princeton Police have filed charges of attempted robbery, criminal recklessness with a weapon and intimidation against Gordon.
The Pike County Sheriff's Department is investigating the vehicle theft.
There will be a bond hearing this morning.
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