At around 5 a.m. Wednesday, on I-65 northbound near the 175 mile marker (that is just south of the SR 25/175 exit), a nearly one hour pursuit of a stolen vehicle ended with the two year old girl safe and the suspect inflicting injury to himself before officers can disarm and contain him.
Information was received that this incident started in Milwaukee, WI yesterday at about 7 p.m. CDT. The suspect, Kenneth Brown, 30 of Milwaukee had allegedly kidnapped a two year old female and stole a gray 2011 Nissan Quest from a residence in Milwaukee.
Approximately four hours later he was stopped in Decatur, IL for a traffic violation when he ran from police. They lost site of the vehicle and discontinued the chase.
At around 3 a.m. CDT Wednesday in Watseka, IL the subject allegedly stopped at a Wal-Mart parking lot and gave information to a person there that he had stolen the car and taken the child. He then took off eastbound on US 24 towards Indiana. Iroquois County Dispatch notified Newton County Indiana dispatch of the situation.
At approximately 4:17 a.m. EDT Wednesday, Kentland Police Department located the vehicle going EB on US 24 through Kentland at a high rate of speed. Kentland Police and the Newton County Sheriff’s Department attempted to stop the vehicle. Brown failed to obey the lights and continued EB with police still behind the vehicle.
Brown continued EB in the stolen Nissan until he reached the I-65 SB entrance ramp at the 201 MM in Jasper County. He turned onto the ramp and started to travel SB with the police still behind him. As Brown approached Tippecanoe County, the Indiana State Police out of the Lafayette Post along with the Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Department engaged in the chase. Speeds were in excess of 90 miles per hour at times.
Brown exited off at SR 26/172 exit and went east on SR 26 for about ½ mile before turning around and going back west on SR 26. He then returned to northbound I-65 where a police roadblock had been setup. He was able to get through the roadblock and continued NB until he arrived at the beginning of the SB split on I-65 at the 173 MM construction area. Crossing over from the NB lanes to the two lanes of the SB traffic, the Nissan started traveling NB in the SB lanes, He started in the far right should then would cut across both SB lanes and wound up in the construction lane on the inside shoulder. His speeds had been slowed considerably due to a flat tire on the Nissan. For an unknown reason, Brown slammed on the brakes and the Newton County Deputy rear ended the Nissan causing it to spin into the inside barrier wall. Other police vehicles surrounded the Nissan preventing him from escaping.
As officers approached the vehicle, Brown was allegedly holding a knife to the child’s throat.Officers were trying to negotiate with him to release the child when the back window was broken out. At that time, Brown handed the child to an officer through the driver’s window and attempted to do bodily harm to himself. Officers were able to subdue Brown and immediately rendered first-aid. Brown was transported to Franciscan St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lafayette and later transferred to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis with what appeared to be life threatening injuries.
The two year old child was found to have only a few cuts and bruises but was otherwise in good condition. The Indiana Department of Children and Family Services is caring for the child until family is notified and can take custody.
Brown is wanted on three warrants out of South Milwaukee Police Department. They are for Interference with parental custody, operating a vehicle without permission and theft. For more information on the charges in Wisconsin, you will need to contact South Milwaukee Police at 414-768-8060. Charges will be pending in Indiana.
During the incident there were police cars from Tippecanoe County and Newton County Sheriff’s Departments that sustained damage. All were drivable and reports were taken by the Indiana State Police at the Lafayette Post.
Departments involved in Indiana were the Indiana State Police from the Lafayette and Lowell Posts, ISP Criminal Investigation Division out of the Lafayette Post, ISP Crime Scene Investigations out of the Lafayette Post, Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Department, Newton County Sheriff’s Department, Kentland Police Department, White County Sheriff’s Department, Lafayette Police Department and Tippecanoe Emergency Ambulance. The investigation is continuing.