Stolen street sweeper leads Richmond, Indiana police on low-speed pursuit

RICHMOND, Indiana — A stolen street sweeper led Richmond, Indiana police on a pursuit Sunday morning.

The Richmond Police Department says third-shift officers were called to respond to the 900 block of Butler Street around 1:30 a.m. Sunday on a report of a person driving a piece of heavy machinery recklessly.

Police said the driver, identified as Sammy H. Allen, 54 of Richmond, was reported to be swerving at people like he was trying to hit them and driving through residential yards. It was also reported that Allen struck other vehicles, however officers did not locate any damaged vehicles.

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Officers located the street sweeper, which was later found to be stolen from a construction company doing construction on Sim Hodgin Parkway in Richmond, police said.

Police said Allen then led officers on a pursuit of very low speeds of 10 to 15 mph for just over an hour as he drove through the city.

Allen struck a garage in the 500 block of South 8th Street several times causing the garage to partially collapse, according to police. Officers say Allen almost flipped the sweeper over while striking the garage.

Police said officers deployed spike strips, but were mostly unsuccessful due to Allen going slow enough to maneuver around most of them.

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Allen reportedly swerved at one officer who was attempting to set up the spike strips causing the officer to seek cover, police said.

The pursuit ended when Allen went into the river in the street sweeper near Veterans Memorial Park.

Police say the sweeper became disabled and Allen attempted to flee on foot.

Allen was apprehended by officers with assistance from a Wayne County Sheriff’s Department canine, according to police.

He was transported to Reid Health for injuries to his arm from the canine apprehension as well as other facial injuries from the struggle with officers. Police say he remained at the hospital for treatment and observation.

The police department said they will request multiple charges including vehicle theft, resisting law enforcement, leaving the scene of an accident, and reckless driving.

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