Published: June 14, 2009 11:54 pm         

Search continues for anhydrous ammonia theft suspects

TERRE HAUTE — Police continue the search for suspects involved in an anhydrous ammonia theft in Vermillion County following a vehicle pursuit which sent one Indiana State Trooper to the hospital with minor injuries.

According to a report issued by the ISP, at 9:30 p.m. Friday, the Vermillion County Sheriff’s Department issued a bulletin regarding a blue 1999 Pontiac Grand Am, suspected to have been involved in anhydrous ammonia thefts near St. Bernice.

The car was reportedly occupied by three white males, with a local farmer, the victim of the theft, in pursuit.

ISP Trooper Ty Lightle observed the vehicle near Indiana 163 and Rangeline Road and attempted to stop it. The vehicle reportedly fled south on Rangeline Road into Universal and southbound into Vigo County. The pursuit traveled through Shirkieville and New Goshen before winding through the Concannon Hill area and finally into West Terre Haute. The chase ended on South Sixth Street there when the suspect vehicle lost control and struck a chain link fence and metal gate. The three suspects fled from the vehicle into a brushy wooded area near the Wabash River. Efforts to locate the suspects were unsuccessful and they remain at large. The description of only one of the suspects was available and that was a white male, heavy build, wearing a black shirt and blue jeans.

During the conclusion of the pursuit, a minor crash occurred involving a chain link fence gate, the suspects’ vehicle and Lightle’s police car. Lightle was slightly injured and taken to Terre Haute Regional Hospital by ISP personnel, where he was treated and released for complaint of shoulder and rib pain. Lightle is a nine-year veteran of the Indiana State Police.

The Pontiac was impounded by McDonald’s Towing and will be held until the conclusion of the investigation. The ISP vehicle received minor damage and was driven from the scene. The crash is currently under investigation.

Items commonly used in the manufacture of methamphetamine were found in the vehicle, including anhydrous ammonia. ISP Methamphetamine Suppression Officers Senior Trooper Rich Reynolds and Trooper Jason Kempf seized the items and removed the anhydrous ammonia from the scene.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about the vehicle or suspects is urged to contact the Indiana State Police at (812) 299-1151 or (812) 299-1152.