Officer's Car Destroyed During Chase, Gunfire

INDIANAPOLIS -- An Indianapolis police officer's squad car was destroyed and one of two people who were arrested was shot during a chase on the city's south side early Sunday morning.

Officers were called to a possible business burglary at Christy's Auction in the 6900 block of South Madison Avenue just after midnight.

When officers arrived, they attempted to pull over a gold Jeep Cherokee with a man and woman inside, but the driver, identified as Dustin Baurle, 23, fled.

A chase ensued eastbound on Southport Road, toward Interstate 65. Police said Reserve Officer Pat Allen's cruiser was rammed near the I-65 on ramp, forcing it into a utility pole, after which the Jeep struck the officer's car several more times.

Indianapolis police Lt. Jeff Duhamell said Allen fired several shots at Bauerle, striking him once in the stomach and hitting the Jeep several times.

Bauerle went onto the I-65 on ramp, but he and passenger Jessica Buck, 18, jumped out and ran to a nearby apartment complex, where they were apprehended a short time later, police said.

Bauerle was taken to Wishard Memorial Hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening. In a news release Sunday morning, police originally said Baurle's age was 53, but corrected that later in the day.

Allen suffered minor injuries and was taken to Methodist Hospital.

Police said they found a handgun, set of bolt cutters, small flashlight and gloves in the Jeep. Investigators were not sure if anything was taken from the business.

"It was something like out of a movie -- I mean pursuit, crashing, ramming of the police vehicle," said Indianapolis police Lt. Jeff Duhamell. "The individual was very committed to getting away."

Bauerle and Buck are expected to face several charges.