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UPDATE High speed pursuit through Brazil
Clay County Sheriff Brison Swearingen has confirmed that at 10:07 a.m., an attempted robbery was dispatched by Clay County 911 at Advanced Auto Parts located at 611 E National Ave. A lengthy pursuit through Brazil followed the suspect's car to Terre Haute and back.
The Brazil Times is following this story and will update with further details.
Swearingen confirmed that incident details will be coming from the Brazil Police Department.
Brazil Police Department has confirmed the arrest of Bryan Shanholtz, 30, of Philadelphia, PA.
Shanholtz has been charged with:
Robbery - Level 5 Felony
Auto Theft - Level 6 Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement - Level 6 Felony
Theft - Level 6 Felony
Reckless Driving - B Misdemeanor
Shanholtz is currently awaiting formal court proceedings with a $10,000 cash bond.
BPD confirmed the investigation into this incident is ongoing.
the Brazil Times will have a full story in the Friday 030124 edition
Full Story
“Thankfully, no one was hurt, that we know of, during the pursuit,” said Brazil Police Department Captain Dennis Archer, who admitted the radio traffic during the event was extensive.”It is going to take a while for investigators to go through everything and follow up on what happened. There were so many people and agencies involved.”
According to Archer, Clay County 911 Dispatch received a call reporting an armed robbery attempt at Advance Auto, on the east side of the courthouse. Apparently, the caller advised the man was inside the building demanding money. When the man left and walked to a white car in the parking lot, a sheriff’s deputy arriving on the scene spotted the car. The white car immediately left the scene, turning westbound into traffic with the deputy following.
The pursuit went northbound around Brazil, along Hendrix to Murphey, and then out on US 40 west into Vigo County. Vigo County Sheriff’s Department, and the Terre Haute Police Department became involved.
The suspect lost law enforcement in Vigo County for a short while until the Indiana Sate University Police located the car near the college campus.
The pursuit headed back to Clay County, and to Brazil.
However, stop sticks were deployed near the Staunton flashers, but the driver continued.
Officials confirmed the suspect’s vehicle lost one of the tires near the bowling alley, and left the road before righting itself and coming to a stop in front of Barb’s Upholstery.
The suspect got out of the car and ran, but, with so many officers involved in the pursuit, they were able to quickly take the suspect into custody.
Afterward, Sheriff Brison Swearingen confirmed one deputy sustained minor injuries during the deployment of stop sticks, and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
ARRESTED
According to information from the jail staff at the Clay County Justice Center, Bryan Shanholtz, 30, Philadelphia,PA, was booked into the facility on the following charges:
Robbery - Level 5 Felony
Auto Theft - Level 6 Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement - Level 6 Felony
Theft - Level 6 Felony
Reckless Driving - B Misdemeanor
Shanholtz is currently awaiting formal court proceedings, with a $10,000 cash bond.
However that is not the end of the case, Archer said the investigation continues, and it is believed further charges will be filed as evidence is processed.
CLAY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
Superintendent Dr. Rayle confirmed the corporation’s police department was notified of the police chase involving an armed suspect Wednesday morning.
Since the chase was going down US 40 and would be passing in front of three schools, East Side Elementary, North Clay Middle School and Northview High School, the School Resource Officers were armed and visible in front of both buildings as the suspect drove by.
“The safety of our students and employees is their number one priority,” Rayle said about the armed response.
East Side Elementary preschool dismissal was delayed while the pursuit took place.
Northview High School internship students arriving back on campus as the pursuit was taking place were brought into the nearest doors when they returned to the campus.