Carjacking suspect arrested after SWAT standoff in near north side apartment building

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A carjacking suspect was behind bars Friday after leading Indianapolis police on a vehicle chase that eventually ended in a SWAT standoff in a near north side apartment building.

The carjacking incident happened around 3 p.m. Wednesday. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department says police were called to investigate a carjacking incident in the 6200 block of Butler Avenue. That’s in a neighborhood right off of Binford Boulevard on the northeast side.

The witness told officers at the scene she’d been placing her walking cane in her car when an unknown male, later identified as Joseph Holmes Jr., 23, tried to grab her car keys.

A brief struggle followed, resulting in the woman being pushed into a parked car and injuring her arm. A bystander tried to intervene, but Holmes drove off in the woman’s car.

Officers later spotted the stolen car near College Avenue and Fall Creek Parkway. Police attempted a traffic stop, but Holmes sped off.

During the following pursuit, the Holmes crashed into another vehicle, causing injuries. He got out of the car and the chase continued on foot, going through an apartment building. A resident tried to stop Holmes from entering, but he made it inside, at first trying to lock himself in one apartment before forcing his way to another.

The resident in that apartment made it out safely, telling police no one else was home but there were several firearms inside.

Officers then set up a perimeter around the apartment and an IMPD SWAT team was called to assist. Holmes stood his ground, refusing to exit the home while holding a large kitchen knife.

After 75 minutes, Holmes finally exited wearing the resident’s clothes and other accessories. He was immediately taken into custody on numerous preliminary charges:

• Robbery with injury
• Battery
• Resisting law enforcement
• Leaving the scene of an accident with injuries
• Burglary of an occupied residence
• Residential entry
• Failure to identify
• Possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon

He was booked into the Marion County jail and being held without bond as of Friday. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office was expected to decide on the final charges.

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