IMPD: Juvenile car thief crashed into truck, Taco Bell drive-thru menu in downtown Indy

INDIANAPOLIS — A juvenile is under arrest after police say she used a stolen car to flee officers, eventually crashing into a Taco Bell drive-thru menu and injuring a truck driver.

Indianapolis Metropolitan police officers on duty around 4 p.m. Thursday reportedly found a stolen vehicle in the 1100 block of Indiana Avenue and tried to pull the car over. However, the driver allegedly fled southbound, and officers did not pursue her.

A short time later, IMPD said they were called to a crash near Indiana and University Boulevard involving the stolen car and a truck. The driver of the truck was later taken to the hospital in serious but stable condition, according to police.

Crash investigators believe that when the suspect driver crashed into the truck, the car continued forward and ran into a drive-thru menu at a nearby Taco Bell before coming to a stop. Officers said they saw the suspect, a juvenile female, get out of the stolen car and run away.

After a brief foot chase, officers were able to catch up to the juvenile and take her into custody. She was reportedly checked out on scene by medics before being taken to a local hospital for a blood draw. The girl, whose name and age were not provided by IMPD, was then arrested.

A FOX59/CBS4 reporter later spoke with Taco Bell employees who confirmed that the restaurant stayed open for the rest of the day despite the damage. One employee was visibly shaken by what she saw during the incident.

This is the same Taco Bell that was the site of a “running gun battle” just over a year ago. Two people were shot, one fatally, and the restaurant’s windows were shot out. For more on that incident, click here.

IMPD said the investigation into the stolen vehicle and subsequent crash is ongoing. Anyone with information on the incident is being asked to call police. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at (317) 262-TIPS.