SCOTT COUNTY, Ind. (IUSTV News) — Indiana State Police arrested an Austin man after he allegedly stole a Scottsberg City Police cruiser and led officers from multiple agencies on a high-speed pursuit, according to the Indiana State Police.
Around 1:30 Thursday morning, officers with the Scottsburg City Police Department were investigating an unrelated call at a hotel near Exit 29 of I-65 in Scottsburg. While on the call, officers learned of a man who had gotten inside one of the Scottsburg City Police cars in the hotel parking lot and had driven away. When officers attempted to stop the stolen vehicle, the driver fled southbound traveling at times over 100 mph, according to ISP.
As the car continued, ISP said officers from Scott County and Clark County Sherriff’s Department officers and troopers from the Sellersberg Post joined the pursuit. Despite the deployment of Stop Stick tire deflation devices, the driver continued driving southbound at speeds approaching 140 mph. Before Master Trooper Rob Caudill could attempt to utilize the PIT maneuver, which helps law enforcement disable fleeing vehicles, the driver lost control of the car and hit a concrete median barrier. The vehicle stopped after it scraped the barrier wall.
The driver was identified as 44-year-old Roger W. Stamper of Austin, IN, according to ISP. Stamper refused to follow commands as he exited the vehicle shortly after the crash, so officers utilized a taser to subdue him. Officers took Stamper into custody and medically cleared him before he was transported to Scott County Jail.
ISP is still investigating the theft.
Stamped was cited for numerous traffic offenses and was charged with the following:
1. Theft, Motor Vehicle – Level 6 Felony
2. Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle – Level 6 Felony.
3. Unauthorized Entry of a Motor Vehicle – B Misdemeanor.
4. Resisting Law Enforcement – A Misdemeanor.
5. Aggressive Driving, Unsafe Operation – A Misdemeanor.
6. Reckless Driving – B Misdemeanor.
7. Driving While Suspended.
