Burglary suspect leads THPD on chase after hit-and-run

Holton/Vigo Co. Jail

By Lucy Perry 
Indiana Central News

A Terre Haute man is in jail on burglary and multiple other charges following a hit- and- run crash and subsequent foot chase through a residential area on the city's south side this afternoon that included K-9s. 
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Michael L. Holton, 32,  was taken into custody after eventually surrendering to police. He was booked into the Vigo County Jail at about 2 p.m.  He is charged with:  Possession of marijuana; possession of methamphetamine;  leaving the scene of a property damage accident; resisting law enforcement;  operating while intoxicated, identity deception; and burglary.  

Sgt. Michael Ellerman, of the Terre Haute Police Department, explained that Holton additionally was wanted on a warrant out of Div. 1 Court that was for a prior burglary and auto theft.  He had been arrested originally on Jan. 28 for that burglary and auto theft charge and was released on Jan. 30, Ellerman said, adding that this warrant was re-issued for Holton’s arrest on Feb. 7, out of Div. 1 Court. 

Ellerman  noted the suspect initially lied about his identity, but was ultimately identified as Holton. Several incidents throughout the investigation were linking the suspect to other reports involving alleged theft at a local hotel earlier in the day.

"While officers were investigating this incident, other officers were taking a burglary report at the Days Inn at First and Margaret Avenue.  It was discovered that items stolen in that burglary were found in the truck Holton had been driving, " Ellerman said.

According to the report, officers of the THPD were initally dispatched to South Seventh and Preston Streets for a hit-and-run crash involving a white Dodge pick-up truck.  While in route to crash, they learned the truck was now also involved in a second accident at South Eighth and Idaho Streets after the suspect allegedly stuck  two parked vehicles.

Ellerman explained that the suspect then fled the area and was seen carrying large black bags as he ran away from the scene on foot.  Several officers began searching the area for the suspect, along with a K-9 unit.  

A short time later,  a patrol sergeant observed the suspect matchining the description of the driver where he was hiding by a porch in the 1800 block of south Center Street, when he started to walk in the opposite direction as the sergeant drove past and then turned his patrol car around.

 "When the sergeant tried to speak with the man from his patrol car, he immediately ran between two houses and proceeded to flee through multiple yards and over multiple chain link and privacy fences," Ellerman said , adding he was taken into custody without incident at the time he was surrounded by police.

Holton’s charges are pending in both Div. 1 Court and Div. 3 Court and he will appear in court on Monday.