A man is on the run in Indiana after escaping his handcuffs and allegedly stealing the local sheriff’s pickup truck.
Steven T. Lakes, 45, was arrested when he failed to show up for court and has been charged with resisting law enforcement.
But he managed to get out of his handcuffs and then allegedly stole the local sheriff’s truck, in Liberty, a town in Center Township, in Union County, in the US state of Indiana, on Tuesday, 8th November at around 10:30am.
The Union County sheriff’s truck, a black Ford F150 with sheriff decals, has since been recovered but the suspect has not yet been apprehended.
Court records reportedly show that Lakes was charged with battery with bodily injury to a public safety officer and resisting law enforcement in October 2021. A trial that was set for September was postponed due to a pending arrest warrant, according to local media.
And in August 2022, a jury found Lakes guilty of multiple drug charges, but he failed to appear in court for his trial’s verdict, so an arrest warrant was issued, according to local media.
Lakes was reportedly found guilty of dealing methamphetamine and of possession of methamphetamine and cannabis, among other charges.
The Indian State Police (ISP) Pendleton said in a statement on 8th November – updated on 9th November – that Lakes no longer has the facial hair as seen in the photo they released of the suspect and added: “It has been confirmed that the police vehicle was recovered in Shelbyville, Indiana last night. Steven T. Lakes has not yet been apprehended. Lakes is in possession of the officer’s firearm and is considered armed and dangerous. DO NOT APPROACH if you see him. Contact local police or dial 911.” (sic)
The cops had at first said: “He was last seen heading to Ripley county. Lakes was also wearing a black hoodie and black pants. He is 5’6, and approximately 145lbs. Current information says that he does not have the facial hair that is shown in the photo.
“Indiana State Police is assisting Union County actively searching for Steven T. Lakes, 45. Lakes is driving a stolen Union County Sheriff’s vehicle. The vehicle is a black Ford F150 truck with Sheriff decals on it and no light bar. Steven’s may have access to weapons. He should be considered armed and dangerous. Do not approach if located and contact 911.” (sic)
At the time of writing, the suspect had not yet been apprehended, according to reports.
