INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - A man already wanted on a federal warrant is recovering from injuries in a shootout with his victim. Robbery suspect Derrick Hart, 18 of Indianapolis, is in detention at a local hospital where doctors are treating him for two gunshot wounds.
His victim was parked behind a strip mall in a secluded parking lot waiting for a business to open when he was surprised by Hart, according to Lawrence police officers.
Apparently Hart gave little to no thought about the surveillance cameras in the area and the signs informing people that the area is being recorded 24 hours a day, seven days a week. So the incident is caught on camera.
The surprise robbery attack happened at a strip mall on the northwest corner area of East 42nd and Franklin Road. Lawrence Police believe Hart opened the passenger door demanding money from the driver.
"He told him he didn't have any money and noticed an armored vehicle here at the ATM at the nearby Chase Bank," Lawrence Police Deputy Chief Gary Woodruff said.
Despite orders to stop driving, the victim drove towards the armored vehicle, which was also seen in the surveillance video. The victim's persistence created a window of opportunity.
"The victim actually grabbed the gun and a fight ensued over the robbery suspect's gun," said Woodruff.
During the fight inside the car, the victim and robber crashed into a fence. That's when the victim pulled his own gun, which led to a shootout with the right people hearing the gunfire. The video cameras recorded someone running away from the car.
"There were two Lawrence police officers down the street at the Menards parking lot and heard the gunshots," Woodruff said.
Lawrence police arrested Hart, who went to the hospital for two gunshot wounds. His victim went to the hospital with an injury as well. Now he is home recovering from a gunshot wound to the shoulder area.
Ironically, two men in a separate investigation at the Chase ATM at 42nd and Franklin are also behind bars. They could face even more charges, just like in Derrick Hart's case.
Despite Hart's arrest, the investigation is far from over because police say he is connected to other crimes.