TIPPECANOE CO. – Thursday just before noon, Indiana State Police Radio Region 1 Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call that a stolen 2012 Mazda 6 was traveling northbound on Interstate 65. Trooper Whitten located and attempted to stop the Mazda on Interstate 65 northbound near the 175-mile marker. The driver, Jamal Franklin, 28, Chicago, IL, failed to stop, and the pursuit continued northbound.
Trooper Whitten continued to pursue the Mazda to the 176-mile marker, where he terminated the pursuit due to road and weather conditions. After Trooper Whitten terminated the pursuit, the Mazda ran off the road and hit the cable barrier near the 177-mile marker. Franklin fled eastbound from the vehicle on foot.
Trooper Whitten is believed to have located Franklin in a barn east of the interstate, after following footprints in the snow. Officers on the scene quickly set up a perimeter around the barn. As Trooper McQueary made announcements to deploy K-9 Jordy, Franklin surrendered and was safely taken into custody. Franklin was transported to Tippecanoe County jail on charges of resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, vehicle theft, leaving the scene of an accident and reckless driving.
Trooper Whitten was assisted on scene by troopers from the Lafayette Post, Indiana Conservation Officers, Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Department, Lafayette Police Department, Tippecanoe County EMA, and Jim’s Garage.
