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Last updated on Monday, May 11, 2015
(VIGO CO.) - Indiana State Police Troopers and Vigo County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the area of Hunt Street and Roberts Road in northeastern Vigo County for a report of a one-vehicle crash.
Witnesses also reported that after the crash, an adult white male and a small child, approximately five years of age, fled on foot into the woods.
Within minutes, troopers and sheriff's deputies arrived on the scene and discovered a green 1994 Chrysler Le Baron was northbound on Hunt Street and failed to negotiate a right curve, left the roadway northbound, and struck a small tree. Further investigation revealed the Chrysler had been reported stolen to the Terre Haute Police Department earlier in the day. In the trunk of the vehicle was a small off-road motorcycle that officers believe was taken from a nearby residence just before the crash.
A perimeter was quickly established by troopers and deputies. Vigo County Sheriff's K-9 handler Deputy David Ewing and K-9 "Tank" initiated a track of the suspect northbound through the woods. Ewing and "Tank" were actively tracking the suspect and small child, when Master Trooper Troy Cobb noticed the pair walking out of the woods approximately 50 minutes after the crash and approximately one mile northeast of the crash location. Trooper Cobb took the suspect into custody without incident near 4681 Roberts Road, along with the small child.
The male child, believed to be four years old and the son of the suspect, appeared to be in good condition and was transported to the Vigo County Jail by Vigo County Sheriff Reserve Deputy Ron Steiner. The child was released to Vigo County Child Protective Services.
Police arrested 27-year-old Joshua Henry Lawrence Johnson of Terre Haute on charges of possession of stolen vehicle, operating while intoxicated-refusal and leaving the scene of a property damage crash.
The crash and criminal investigation was conducted by ISP Master Trooper Jason Owen. Also assisting were ISP Trooper Hans Nowak, Vigo County Sheriff's First Sergeant Clay White, VCSO Detective Jason Fischer, and other members of the Vigo County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division.
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