Over the past weekend, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) teamed up with the Indiana State Police (ISP) and Beech Grove Police in a concentrated effort to curb dangerous driving practices throughout the city. Officers and troopers worked together, culminating in at least 28 traffic citations, 15 arrests, the recovery of six firearms, and towing a minimum of five vehicles, according to a social media post from IMPD News.
On Sunday, IMPD officers identified a large congregation of vehicles in the 4200 block of S. Meridian Street, which later involved two armed males engaged in dangerous activities atop a vehicle. The officers attempted to initiate a stop when the suspects fled, setting off a pursuit that was successfully halted using the Precision Immobilization Technique. Selvin Cruz, 18, and Erick Sanchez, 19, were apprehended with assistance from the ISP helicopter. "This weekend's arrests should send a clear message - we will not tolerate this disruptive and disrespectful behavior on our streets," Chief Chris Bailey conveyed in the IMPD News post.
In another incident, officers witnessed a Ford F150 crashing into parked cars after a burnout, leading them to detain 42-year-old Steve Stanfield, who was in illegal possession of a firearm due to his status as a serious violent felon. Separate reports by IMPD show officers also disrupted drag racing on US 31, resulting in at least one traffic citation and the towing of an involved vehicle.
The increase in police measures comes as a direct response to the spike in hazardous driving incidents across Indianapolis. "Reckless driving puts lives at risk and damages the quality of life in our neighborhoods," Bailey stated. He reaffirmed the IMPD's commitment, alongside state law enforcement partners, to continue enforcing the law throughout the summer to maintain public safety. These initiatives, as Bailey added, "require numerous resources from our department and our state partners, and we are committed to effectively utilizing all available tools to keep our streets safe."
