Multiple cars in pursuit, multiple arrests in what started as shoplifting in Edinburgh

Editor's Note: This article has been updated at 1 p.m. with information from the Shelbyville Police Department.

A Wednesday shoplifting incident that included an Edinburgh Outlet mall employee being hit by a fleeing vehicle closed with a pursuit, two crashes, an injured police officer and arrests in Shelby and Decatur counties.

A Shelbyville Police Department (SPD) officer was returning from Franklin when he stopped behind two vehicles at the intersection of West State Road 44 and Interstate 65. After the traffic signal changed, both vehicles began traveling eastbound on State Road 44 at a high rate of speed. The officer observed the vehicles driving recklessly, passing other motorists on the right shoulder and crossing double yellow lines to pass additional traffic.

Vehicle speeds exceeded 100 miles per hour and the officer initiated pursuit.

While the pursuit was traveling east toward Shelbyville, officers from the SPD and Shelby Cunty Sheriff's Department responded to assist. During the pursuit, SPD officer Josh Kieffer was traveling westbound on West McKay Road approaching Theobald Street with his emergency lights activated. A vehicle that pulled to the side of the road unexpectedly turned left directly into the path of Kieffer's patrol vehicle.

The collision sent both vehicles into a nearby yard at the intersection of W. McKay Road and Theobald St. Kieffer and the driver of the other vehicle were transported to Major Health Partners for treatment of minor injuries.

During the pursuit from Franklin, one of the suspect vehicles lost control before entering Shelbyville. The vehicle collided with two other vehicles, overturned, and struck a FedEx semi. The occupants of the suspect vehicle, one adult and two juveniles, were transported to area hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to serious.

The second suspect vehicle continued east through Shelbyville before traveling to Decatur County. The pursuit ended when the vehicle crashed on eastbound Interstate 74. The occupants were taken into custody at the scene by the Shelby County Sheriff's Department.

The preliminary investigation determined that the occupants of both suspect vehicles were allegedly involved in a criminal incident that had occurred earlier in Edinburgh. Officers from the Edinburgh Police Department responded and have assumed responsibility for the criminal investigation.

The SPD will not release the names of any individuals involved at this time to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.

Edinburgh Police say that an adult female and a male juvenile, age 17, from Ohio, were arrested for the incident in Edinburgh. Anyone with information or video of the alleged crimes in Edinburgh is asked to contact Edinburgh Police Chief Doyne Little at 812-526-3500 or by email at dlittle@edinburgh.in.us .

Indiana State Police are handling the crash investigation in Shelby County.