Theft at Edinburgh Outlets leads to pursuit, several injuries

EDINBURGH, Ind. - The Edinburgh Police Department (EPD) and Edinburgh Fire and Rescue responded to Indiana Premium Outlets on Wednesday, July 15, at around 3:30 p.m., after being dispatched about a pedestrian being struck.   

While en route, they were advised that the pedestrian was a store employee who was chasing shoplifters from a store. The suspects, in a black Chrysler van with Ohio plates, struck the employee while fleeing. Witnesses provided a license plate number for the van and informed authorities that a second vehicle, carrying multiple suspects, had also fled the area.

The information was provided to surrounding law enforcement agencies, and a short while later, a Shelby County Deputy heading west on State Road 44 near I-65 observed a Chrysler van with the side door partially hanging off and a black Mitsubishi van eastbound on S.R. 44.

The deputy made a U-turn to try to stop the vehicles, but they accelerated and fled. During the pursuit, one of the suspect vehicles crashed into several cars on S.R. 44, west of Shelbyville, causing multiple injuries. The Indiana State Police is investigating this crash.    

The primary suspect vehicle that struck the pedestrian/employee at the Edinburgh Outlet Mall continued to flee from Shelby County Deputies. It was eventually stopped when spike strips were deployed.     

An adult female and a 17-year-old male juvenile from Ohio were arrested for the alleged thefts. Additional charges are being sought for the driver who struck the employee/pedestrian, as well as charges for the other theft suspects.   

This case is still under investigation. If you have any information or video of the incident, you are asked to call EPD Chief Doyne Little at 812-526-3500 or email him at dlittle@edinburgh.in.us.