Hospitalized suspect accused of running over man on Christmas

Aubin/ Vigo Co. Jail

Aubin in custody/ ICN file photo

UPDATE 1/9/17- 

​By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

A recently retired law enforcement officer was struck by a vehicle while spending Christmas morning with family in Terre Haute.

According to court documents, several people in the home located in the Wyndam subdivision on the city's east side noticed a suspicious vehicle outside, when Joe Lodge went to see what was going on. A short time later, witnesses reported Lodge was struck by the red Ford Mustang and landed on the hood, as the former officer fired several gunshots at a theft suspect. He was eventually thrown off the car as it continued driving several feet at a high rate of speed. Witnesses said they saw the vehicle run over the man's body on the road, before fleeing the area.


The driver of the car, Paul D. Aubin, 52, is expected to be booked into the Vigo County Jail when he is released from the hospital, where he was being treated for gunshot wounds. Meanwhile, probable cause has been found for several charges, including aggravated battery, auto theft and battery resulting in serious bodily injury, according to court documents recently filed.

Kelli N. Pitts,29, of Terre Haute, told investigators, that Aubin is her friend and was staying at a nearby apartment where her dad lives in Greenwood Manor. She and Keegan T. Heck, 26, had been visiting the apartment complex when she asked Aubin for a ride. Pitts denies knowing the suspect was driving a reported stolen Ford Mustang at the time, according to he probable cause affidavit, filed by Det. D. Minnick, of the Terre Haute Police Department.

Pitts said Aubin drove to the subdivision and started checking mailboxes for packages -- after they discovered that the gas station they planned to stop at was closed for the night.

She estimates he had checked about 30 mailboxes in the subdivision before being confronted with the victim,  described as seen holding up a badge and a gun. She said Aubin struck him with the car, as the man "started shooting at Paul through the windshield." 

​Heck told investigators a similar story, noting that the confrontation occurred just after Aubin allegedly tried to open the door of a parked silver SUV in the subdivision. He said after the man was struck by the Mustang, he began firing shots through the windshield at Aubin. The suspect stated out loud that he had been shot in the chest before fleeing from the scene, according to the court documents.

The car was found empty a short time later,  after the injured suspect was reportedly seeking help nearby. All three individuals then fled on foot towards Deming Park.

Family members of Lodge say he retired just last month. His condition is not known. Heck and Pitts have not been charged in connection to the case at this time.

This story will be updated as information becomes available.
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