INDIANAPOLIS — Court documents have been released showing what led up to a high-speed chase on southbound Interstate 65 late Monday night that ended with all lanes being shut down for a SWAT situation.
According to the recently released documents, around 9:39 p.m. on Monday, July 8, an IMPD officer was informed of a blue Chevy Traverse that was reported stolen approaching the intersection of 21st Street and Arlington Avenue on Indy's east side.
The officer reportedly began following the Traverse to confirm the car in question had indeed been reported stolen. After confirming the vehicle was stolen, the officer turned on his emergency lights and attempted to pull the car over.
That's when the driver, identified as 29-year-old Joshua Shepherd, began to accelerate rapidly. Shepherd reportedly ran through red lights at over 100 mph before getting onto southbound Interstate 465.
By 9:42 p.m., pursuing officers were informed that Shepherd was on the phone with the ISP post commander while he was driving at speeds in excess of 110 mph. After weaving through traffic near the Emerson Avenue exit, Shepherd reportedly exited onto southbound I-65.
While on I-65, Shepherd was seen getting off at the Southport Road exit before almost immediately getting back on the interstate. Police say Shepherd was seen traveling over 105 mph while again weaving through traffic.
Court documents say that when Shepherd approached the 102-mile marker of I-65 southbound, the car began to smoke heavily and slowed to a speed of about 20 mph. Shepherd again began to weave through traffic before finally slowing on the right shoulder and driving the car into a ditch near the 101.8-mile marker.
According to court documents, Shepherd was still on the phone with the ISP post commander and reportedly told the commander that he would not exit the vehicle. By 9:55 p.m., court documents show that Shepherd opened the car door, but still refused to follow officers' verbal orders.
ISP's SWAT team arrived around 11:30 p.m., but it was not until 11:52 p.m. that Shepherd began to exit the vehicle and was taken into custody just three minutes later.
Court documents say that Shepherd allegedly told medics who were treating him at the scene that he was using methamphetamine prior to the police chase. An ISP trooper at the scene searched the vehicle and reportedly found a small bag of "a white powder substance" in the center console.
After being transported to Eskenazi Hospital for an elevated heart rate, court documents say that Shepherd was continuously talking to himself and said he stole the car from his grandmother's house.
The IMPD officer who initiated the pursuit read Shepherd his Miranda rights and asked if Shepherd had used meth that night. Court documents say Shepherd answered he had used meth "multiple times" that night.
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According to court documents, the officer stopped questioning Shepherd after he asked to talk to a lawyer. Then, while being read his charges, Shepherd allegedly told the officer "I shouldn't have did all that (expletive), I really shouldn't have."
Shepherd allegedly continued, saying, "The only reason they called you guys is because they wanted the (expletive) truck back. They knew I was going to bring the truck back ... I wanted the truck though, I didn't plan on stealing it, what it was is honestly like, I didn't want to walk anywhere."
Shepherd was booked at the Marion County Jail after his heart rate returned to normal. His grandmother allegedly told police she had a protection order against her grandson and that Shepherd showed up at her house around 9 a.m. that morning and began banging on her door. The grandmother allegedly told police Shepherd took the keys and left the house with the vehicle.
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According to online court records, Shepherd has been charged with three felonies: Resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, auto theft of a motor vehicle and possession of methamphetamine.
His initial hearing is scheduled for Thursday, July 11 at 8:30 a.m.
