Madison, IN Sunny intervals 88°
Listen Live

Austin Man Arrested after Stealing Police Car and Fleeing Police

High Speed Pursuit in Stolen Police Cruiser thru Two Counties

                                      

Scott County – Indiana State Police Troopers in Sellersburg arrested an Austin, Indiana, man after he allegedly stole a city police cruiser and then led officers from multiple agencies on a high-speed pursuit in southern Indiana.  

The incident unfolded around 1:30 Thursday morning when officers with the Scottsburg City Police Department were investigating an unrelated call at the I-65 Studio Suites Hotel near Exit 29 in Scottsburg. While out on that call, officers learned that a male subject had gained entry to one of the marked Scottsburg City Police cars in the hotel parking lot and had driven away. Officers soon located the stolen car traveling southbound on I-65 a few miles south of the city. When the officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver fled southbound, sometimes traveling well over 100mph.  

As the car continued southbound, Scott County and Clark County Sheriff's Department officers and troopers from the Sellersburg Post soon joined the pursuit. Officers successfully deployed Stop Stick tire deflation devices near the 12 and 9 mile markers in Clark County; however, despite damage to the tires, the driver continued southbound at speeds approaching 140 mph. Master Trooper Rob Caudill maneuvered behind the car in an attempt to utilize the precision immobilization technique (PIT maneuver) to stop the vehicle. Before that could happen, the driver lost control of the car, veering into the concrete median barrier around the 3 mile marker near Eastern Blvd. The vehicle eventually stopped as it scraped against the barrier wall.  

The driver, later identified as 44-year-old Roger W. Stamper of Austin, Indiana, exited through the passenger side door of the car shortly after the crash. Officers utilized a taser to subdue Stamper when he refused to follow commands. Stamper was placed into custody and medically cleared before officers transported him to the Scott County Jail in Scottsburg.  

ISP Sergeant Tracy Spencer is investigating the vehicle theft. Roger Stamper was cited for numerous traffic offenses and also charged with the following: 

  1. Theft, Motor Vehicle - Level 6 Felony
  2. Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle - Level 6 Felony.
  3. Unauthorized Entry of a Motor Vehicle - B Misdemeanor.
  4. Resisting Law Enforcement - A Misdemeanor.
  5. Aggressive Driving, Unsafe Operation - A Misdemeanor.
  6. Reckless Driving - B Misdemeanor. 
  7. Driving While Suspended.   

   

More from Local News

Events

Local News

Secretary of State Urges Eligible Hoosiers to Register to Vote

Tuesday was National Voter Registration Day.

Governor Braun Launches Power Up Indiana to Grow Well-Paying Jobs for Hoosiers

The new workforce training initiative grows opportunities from within.

Kentucky State Police Raises Awareness for Rail Safety

Designed to reduce the number of railroad crossing and trespassing incidents

Local Sports

ORVC Weekly Report Summary (September 8 – 13) 2025

Congratulations to all the area athletes

Local Sports for September 16, 2025

Any missing scores or to report a score email news@953wiki.com

Local Sports for September 15, 2025

Any missing scores or to report a score email news@953wiki.com