Day care crash suspect once wanted for murder

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Police have arrested two men in connection with a robbery that led to crash that critically injured a young boy and tore a hole in the side of a north side day care.

While pictures of the suspects have yet to be released, officers have identified the men as 21-year-old Darron Crowe and 19-year-old Theo Sanford.

Crowe and Sanford have been preliminary charged with armed robbery, carrying a handgun without a license and fleeing the police. Officers said additional charges may be added as the investigation continues.

The 1997 red, Jeep Cherokee that crashed into the day care belonged to Sanford, police said. Detectives found a handgun, cash and clothing in the Jeep that they believe was used in the robbery.

Police believe a third suspect may have fled the scene after the crash.

Police said Crowe was arrested on murder charges in November 2005, but was actually convicted of felony battery.

The Family Dollar store the men are accused of robbing has been hit by robbers before.

Sgt Paul Thompson said, "Research shows it has been robbed or there has been an attempted robbery eight times during the past nine years."

Investigators are currently looking at the path the pair took to get away. Officers said the pair took off north on Keystone then headed over to Allisonville where they headed south. As they drove south, an officer spotted the suspects and turned around to follow. The suspects picked up speed and, as the officer turned on her lights, the suspects crashed the SUV into the day care center.

Lt. Jeff Duhamell said, "The officer had just initiated her red lights and had just advised that she had believed that she had caught up to the vehicle, so actually there was no pursuit or lengthy pursuit of any vehicle because the crash happened, the two crashes happened within seconds of the officer observed him."

Investigators have pulled police tapes and will be looking closely to see if police procedures were followed in the brief pursuit.