Hamilton Co. Carmel, Indiana - Police Say Man Stole Cruiser, Tried To Run Down Officer

A “smash and grab’’ burglar with a taste for fur coats was arrested after trying to make his getaway in a stolen Carmel Police car.
Police said Milton Greg Phelps, 37, of Indianapolis, and an accomplice could be responsible for several other brazen break-ins in the northern suburbs, in which thieves break the front doors or windows of shops to gain entry.
Police arrested Phelps late Thursday after patrolling Meridian Park Plaza, at 136th and Meridian streets in Carmel, said Carmel Asst. Chief Tim Green.

Detectives from Fishers, Carmel and Indianapolis had urged patrol officers to be on the look-out for burglars.

When Carmel Police Officer Brian Schmidt pulled into the strip mall at 11:30 p.m., he noticed a solitary car parked near a row of closed shops — Carmel Consignment, Great Clips, Toula’s Alterations and Biscuit’s Restaurant, Green said.

The front window of one of the shops was broken and Phelps was in the driver’s seat of the car. When Schmidt approached the car, Phelps drove away, then jumped out of the car while it was still moving. Schmidt then chased Phelps through a nearby neighborhood.

Eventually, Phelps circled back to the street where Schmidt had left his  2005 Chevrolet Impala. The suspect got into the car and drove it toward the pursuing officer.

Schmidt fired one shot at the car and jumped out of the way. He did not strike Phelps, who sped north on Meridian as police officers from Carmel, Fishers, Westfield and the Hamilton County sheriff’s office gave chase.

Phelps led police east on 146th Street at speeds reaching 100 mph with two flat tires, said Fishers Police Officer J.D. Floyd in a probable cause affidavit.

The pursuit ended in the 14900 block of Midland Street in Noblesville when Phelps ditched the car and tried to run away.

Phelps was charged with burglary, attempted aggravated battery of a police officer, auto theft, resisting law enforcement in a motor vehicle, resisting law enforcement on foot and criminal mischief to a motor vehicle.

He was being held in the Hamilton County Jail.
Green said police found stolen fur coats near the mall believed to have been lifted from Carmel Consignments.

Police were searching for one other suspect and were trying to link the pair to other break-ins.