EDINBURGH, Ind. – Deputy Chief Hector Mercado of the Edinburgh Police Department attempted a traffic stop, near the Bartholomew County/Johnson County line, on a reportedly stolen pick-up truck early Friday, at 12:30 a.m. The driver, later identified as Tony Allen, 56, began fleeing north on U.S. 31 into the city of Franklin.
The truck fled into a field near Youngs Creek, where police say Allen struck a Johnson County Sheriff’s Office vehicle. The suspect vehicle then headed back south on U.S. 31 to Edinburgh, as police pursued, where it went off-road through a farmer’s field across from the CVS. Suspect Allen continued westbound in the field and eventually exited the stolen pickup and fled on foot.
Several agencies responded to set up a perimeter. Officers deployed drones and located the stolen vehicle abandoned in the field. Several K9s tracked the driver. About an hour later, Bartholomew County Deputy Dylan Prather and his K9 dog Frisko found Allen in a field north of County Road 950N and U.S. 31, where Allen was bitten by K9 Frisco.
Deputies along with Indiana State Police escorted Allen out to the Driftwood fishing site where he was taken into custody by Edinburgh Police. Nineveh EMS and Columbus Regional Health Medics responded to treat Allen for the dog bite to his right arm. The suspect was transported to Johnson Memorial Health for further treatment prior to being taken to the Johnson County Jail.
The Johnson County deputy involved in the crash was not injured.
Allen has been preliminarily charged with Auto Theft, Resisting Law Enforcement with a vehicle, Criminal Recklessness with a vehicle, Leaving the scene of a property damage accident, Operating while never receiving a license, Criminal Mischief, and Reckless Driving. Additional charges may be pursued. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Tony Allen-Courtesy of Edinburgh Police Dept.
