DATE: March 16, 2014
SUBJECT: Stolen Vehicle Recovery
RELEASE NUMBER: 2014-NR-023
CONTACT: Sgt. Nathan Sugarman
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Eric Williams
On Saturday, March 15, 2014, just before 6 AM, deputies from the Vanderburgh County Sheriff`s Office were dispatched to the Dogtown Boat Ramp located at 5500 Old Henderson Road in reference to suspicious circumstances. The reporters advised that person(s) unknown arrived at the boat ramp in two vehicles. They heard what they described as 3-4 gunshots. A short time later one of the vehicles described as a green Suburban sped away from the scene. They advised both vehicles had stopped at the top of the boat ramp and only one left. A short time later they saw the other vehicle rolling down the ramp and into the water. The witnesses ran to the ramp to see a vehicle almost completely submerged in the water.
Shortly after deputies arrived at Dogtown Boat Ramp, Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s deputies and Evansville Police officers stopped a green Ford Expedition at First Avenue and Allen’s Lane. The vehicle was occupied by two adult males and one adult female. One of the occupants, Kevin Frazier, was wearing shoes that appeared to match a print found at the boat ramp. The vehicle matched the general description of the vehicle seen leaving the boat ramp. The subjects were detained and transported to the Vanderburgh County Sheriff`s Office Command Post.
Patrick West and Kevin Frazier were interviewed by Sheriff’s Office detectives. The two males implicated themselves in the theft of the vehicle. The vehicle was stolen from the Econolodge motel located at 2508 Old Business 41 earlier in the morning of March 15, 2014. An Auto Theft report was taken from the victim by the EPD. Donnielle Frazier, the female occupant also implicated the two males in the theft of the vehicle. The males also admitted stealing several items from the vehicle prior to allowing it to roll into the river. They also smashed out the truck windows with a metal pipe. Investigators believe this was what the witnesses may have mistaken for gunshots. The two males were charged with auto theft, theft, and criminal mischief. They were transported and booked into the Vanderburgh County Confinement Center.
A dive team from the Perry Township Fire Department assisted in the recovery of the stolen 2002 Ford Sport Trac SUV.
Arrested:
- Kevin Frazier, 26, of Evansville
- Patrick West, 24, of Evansville
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