SUBJECT: Robbery Parolee Drops Handgun, Flees from Traffic Stop
RELEASE NUMBER: 2020-NR-004
CONTACT: Col. Noah Robinson / Lt. Nathan Sugarman
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Dave Wedding
UPDATE (01/23/2020 2:35PM):
Mr. Shane S. James, a parolee who fled from a traffic stop while armed yesterday, has been apprehended. Mr. James was located by officers assigned to the Evansville Police Department VIPER Unit. Mr. James was taken into custody without incident at a residence in the Buena Vista Apartments off West Buena Vista Road.
The Violent Incident Prevention Enforcement and Response Unit of the EPD primarily targets violent offenders in an effort to prevent and suppress violent crime within the city.
ARRESTED:
Shane Stetson James (pictured above), 20, of Evansville. Resisting Law Enforcement as a Class A Misdemeanor, Possession Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon as a Level 4 Felony, Possession of an Altered Handgun as a Level 5 Felony, Possession of a Handgun Without a License as a Class A Misdemeanor, Possession of a Synthetic Drug Greater than 5 Grams as a Level 6 Felony, Parole Violation Warrant
PREVIOUSLY:
A felon on parole for robbery discarded a handgun during a traffic stop and fled from a sheriff’s deputy.
On Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at approximately 4:25 pm a Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office deputy working federally funded traffic enforcement overtime conducted a traffic stop in the area of St. Joseph Avenue and Maryland Street. During the course of the stop an occupant ran from the vehicle, tossing a handgun to the ground as he fled.
Deputies chased the suspect on foot, but were unable to apprehend him. Additional deputies and officers from the Evansville Police Department set up a perimeter in an effort to contain the suspect. Although he was not located, the suspect was later identified as Shane S. James of Evansville.
Mr. James served 1.5 years in prison on a robbery charge before being paroled in late December of 2019. As a convicted felon, Mr. James is prohibited by law from carrying a handgun.
Should you see Mr. James, please do not approach him. Call 911 from a safe location and be ready to provide a street address, vehicle and clothing description and a direction travel.
Shane Stetson James (pictured above). White Male, 5-08, 135, 20 years old. Multiple tattoos visible around his neck and down both arms. Last seen wearing a blue and white plaid shirt and blue jeans.
Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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