A hostage is free and a suspect is dead after a police pursuit through two states. The suspect, whose name has not been released, was shot by police in Monon yesterday afternoon after he allegedly pointed a gun at officers. The incident started in Watseka, Ill., where the man is accused of robbing a business at gunpoint. He fled on foot, according to an Indiana State Police news release, and was confronted by police at a car dealership. That’s where authorities say he took a woman hostage and fled in a Napa delivery truck.
Police lost the vehicle after it crossed into Indiana, and notified law enforcement agencies in Benton and Newton Counties. Around 5:30 last night a Lafayette business was robbed at gunpoint, and police say the Napa truck was involved. The driver led police north through Battle Ground into Brookston, where officers used stop sticks to try and end the pursuit. The driver ditched the damaged truck in a parking lot, according to police and moved himself and his hostage into an SUV at gunpoint.
He drove north through Reynolds on U.S. 421 to Monon, where the local police department deployed stop sticks, disabling the SUV. The driver hit another car while trying to avoid them, according to police. He then ran a minivan off the road on the north side of Monon. Police say the driver and two passengers got out and the suspect and his hostage got in. Police boxed the van in, and say the suspect pointed a gun at them. Officers defended themselves and killed the suspect. The hostage escaped with the help of other officers. She was treated and released at a Monticello hospital. The investigation is ongoing.
