An Indianapolis man was arrested on several felony charges after leading officers on a vehicle and foot pursuit in Jackson and Scott Counties last Tuesday morning, Dec. 5.
Early Tuesday morning, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) reported a Maroon Dodge Charger SRT was stolen and believed to be southbound on I-65. IMPD also reported a handgun was possibly in the vehicle.
Around 7:50 a.m., Indiana State Police Sgt. Stephen Wheeles reported he had spotted and was following the car southbound near the Seymour exit; however, when he attempted to stop the car along with Trooper Korry Clark and a Seymour Police Officer, the vehicle sped away at a high rate of speed. The officers gave chase but lost sight of the Charger in southern Jackson County.
An Indiana State Excise officer soon spotted the car as the driver attempted to get fuel at a gas station exit 41 at Uniontown; however, the driver was unsuccessful and sped away southbound on US 31 through Crothersville and into Scott County.
ISP Master Trooper Mark LaMaster spotted and tried to stop the Charger as it approached Booe Road at the north edge of Austin where Crothersville Chief of Police Matt Browning and Austin police attempted to set up stop sticks.
As the Charger continued south, it collided with the Crothersville Police truck, and the vehicles came to rest on the southwest side of the intersection of US 31 and Booe Road. The driver then fled on foot along nearby railroad tracks. Trooper LaMaster and officers from Seymour and Austin gave chase and apprehended the driver a short time later.
The driver was identified as 20-year-old Nicholas Nature Lewis of Indianapolis. Lewis lodged in Scott County Jail charged with battery to a police officer with a Vehicle, Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Receiving Stolen Property, Resisting Law Enforcement on Foot, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, and Criminal Recklessness with a Vehicle.
Neither the Crothersville officer nor his K9 were injured in the crash. Officers have not located the firearm.
Seymour, Crothersville, Austin, State Excise, and Indiana DNR officers assisted in the pursuit and investigation.