Suspected shooter has lengthy record

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The man who faces a murder charge for the shooting that killed IMPD Officer David Moore is no stranger to the inside of a jail cell.

Thomas Hardy, 60, was arrested Sunday for his alleged role in the robbery of a Dollar General 45 minutes after Moore was shot. He was being held on a murder charge on Thursday morning awaiting official charging before a judge.

Hardy’s criminal past dates back to 1982 and he was just released from the Marion County Jail on December 21st. Sources tell us Dec. 21 is the same day that the gold Toyota Camry was reported stolen.

Officer Moore was shot after he pulled over a gold Camry to initiate a stolen vehicle investigation.

A check of the Indiana Department of Corrections database shows Hardy was released from prison on Oct. 27, 2009. He was arrested Nov. 19, 2010 on charges of theft and auto theft.

Hardy was first sent to state prison on a 13-year sentence for burglary in 1984.

Now, Hardy is charged with murder, robbery and possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.