Off-duty Anderson police officer injured while trying to recover stolen vehicle; police searching for 2 suspects

INDIANAPOLIS — A search is underway for two suspects accused of stealing an off-duty Anderson police officer’s vehicle early Monday morning.

According to a news release, officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department responded around 6:30 a.m. to the 600 block of Woodruff Place in response to a shots fired incident that reportedly led to a “large police presence” on the near east side of Indianapolis. Individuals were asked to avoid the area as officers investigated.

IMPD initially reported that the officer, who IMPD confirmed was an adult male, had suffered a graze wound from a bullet. However, police later confirmed that the victim did not sustain a gunshot wound and was later released from the hospital.

In a social media update, the department identified two suspects possibly related to the investigation as a man in a black hoodie with tan or gray pants, and a man in a gray or white top with black pants.

Officers on scene determined that two suspects had reportedly fled on foot from a stolen vehicle belonging to the off-duty officer. Detectives established a perimeter as an IMPD K9 Unit arrived to help and a drone was utilized to find the suspects.

According to witnesses on the scene, the off-duty officer with the Anderson Police Department reportedly had his car stolen out of his driveway around 4 a.m. Monday. The vehicle reportedly had a GPS tracker inside, which led him to his vehicle. The victim located their stolen vehicle a short time later in the 600 block of Woodruff Place W. Drive.

IMPD noted the victim had a second person driving in a different vehicle as they attempted to recover the stolen vehicle. At some point, IMPD said a “disturbance” occurred as shots were fired between the suspects and the victim.

The suspects are believed to have crashed the stolen vehicle into a truck on the front lawn of a home before opening fire at the off-duty officer, IMPD said. The two suspects then exited and continued fleeing on foot.

IMPD confirmed no citizens were injured during this incident. However, police said one residence in the area was reportedly struck by the gunfire. Detectives recovered a total of three firearms as they processed the stolen vehicle for evidence.

Arsenal Tech High School and H.L. Harshman Middle School were placed under lockdown as the investigation into the incident occurred. The lockdowns have since been lifted.

A4rsenal Tech High School shared the following statement with FOX59/CBS4:

“In cooperation with IMPD, Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) placed Arsenal Tech High School, Harshman Middle School and Theodore Potter School 74 on a lockdown this morning (Monday, May 19) due to police activity in the area of all three schools.

IPS learned about the police activity during the time that Tech students were travelling to school. The district quickly moved Arsenal Tech students to a synchronous learning day. Tech students on buses were rerouted back home; walkers were allowed into the building — utilizing the school’s weapons detection system — where they called parents/guardians for a ride home.

Harshman and Theodore Potter students — who have a later start time — safely entered their school buildings using a controlled-entry process. Once inside, the lockdown remained in place until lifted by IMPD.

The lockdown was lifted before 10 a.m. The district communicated with families from these schools before, during, and after the lockdown.

All three schools followed safety policies and procedures. As always, the safety and security of our students and staff remain our top priority.”

Officials with the Anderson Police Department confirmed that an APD officer’s personal vehicle was stolen in Indianapolis during the Monday morning incident. The off-duty officer reportedly sustained minor injuries while attempting to recover the stolen vehicle.

“The investigation is ongoing and all further inquires can be directed to IMPD,” the department said in a statement.

Anyone with information related to the shots fired incident is asked to contact the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475 or Crime Stoppers at 317-262-8477.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.