By Lucy Perry 
Indiana Central News

Five people were inside a business located near Honey Creek Mall in Terre Haute this afternoon when they evacuated due to smoke in the builing.

Upon the arrival of Terre Haute Fire Department crews just after 4 p.m, flames were shooting out of the roof at Backyard Leisure. A short time later, the roof collapsed, according to scanner traffic. The building sustained heavy damage.

An employee of Backyard Leisure, Josh Michaels, said that before the fire, an unusual smell was detected in the office. About an hour later, power was lost in the business. He said when they reset the breaker, they saw " quite a bit of smoke, and called 911."

With a heat advisory in effect for the area, the outside temperature was in the 90s as crews battled the blaze.

The fire remains under investigation at this time.

UPDATE- Tremain L. Wilson, 31, of Chicago, is the name of the suspect booked into the Vigo County Jail following a police pursuit.


By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News
 
Multiple agencies assisted Indiana State Police after a man refusing to cooperate with officers fled a traffic stop in southern Vigo County this afternoon in an allegedly stolen vehicle.

According to ISP Sgt. Joe Watts, the driver ultimately gave multiple names and identification information – and has not been identified at the time of this report.

“Troopers have yet to positively ID the driver, so he will be held in the Vigo County Jail until he is properly identified and answers to his initial charges of resisting law enforcement with a vehicle (felony) and criminal reckless with a vehicle (felony) submitted by Trooper Erik Smith,” Watts explained this evening.

The suspect led police on a high speed chase on into Terre Haute until tire deflation devices were deployed just south of Chestnut Street on northbound US 41. The tires of the Toyota were disabled and the vehicle stopped around 4 p.m.

According to the report, Trooper Smith was patrolling northbound on US 41 near French Drive, just before 3 p.m, when he was passed on the right by the Gold 2002 Toyota Corolla. The black male suspect was driving at 70mph.

The driver initially pulled over to the shoulder, but quickly accelerated and fled northbound on US 41 at speeds of 80-90mph. Other agencies joined in the pursuit as the suspect made his way into the city of Terre Haute.

As the vehicle approached the city’s south side, Indiana State Police called off the chase due to heavier traffic. A short time later, Vigo County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to stop the Corolla on northbound US 41 and the suspect continued to flee.

Four vehicle occupants were detained at the scene. However, the driver – who is the unnamed suspect – was the only one arrested. The suspect vehicle was allegedly stolen out of Chicago earlier this month, Watts said.

Assisting were ISP Sergeant Joe Rutledge and Troopers Ty Lightle and Courtland Woodruff, Vigo County Sheriff’s Office, Terre Haute Police, and West Terre Haute Police.

UPDATE-- Jason E. Morales, 46, was booked into the Vigo County Jail June 28 in connection to the fire at the Community Corrections building. He is charged with parole violation, arson and burglary of a dwelling.
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By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News
 
Professional cleaning crews spent the day at the Vigo County Community Corrections Center this afternoon, cleaning up smoke and water damage left behind  from an early morning arsonist.

More than 50 people were evacuated from the building, located at 104 S. First St., just before 4 a.m. Heavy smoke reportedly filled the building, activating alarm and sprinkler systems. 

Terre Haute Fire Department officials say a white male suspect was observed on surveillance video prying a door open before allegedly setting several second-floor offices on fire. No injuries were reported.

After setting fire to the rooms, he allegedly sprayed a flammable substance to aid the spread of the fire before exiting the building a short time later, officials say.

The suspect is described as wearing all black, including a face mask. He is believed to be about 5-feet, 10-inches tall in height. 

Multiple agencies are assisting in the ongoing investigation, including the Terre Haute Police Department and Vigo County Sheriff's Office.

Call police with information on the fire.