13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |Rash of carjackings worry police

Rash of carjackings worry police

Steve Jefferson/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - The start of the new year brought with it a rash of carjackings. Since January 1, 2007, Metro police have responded to 13 carjackings. In most cases the suspects wore clothing to hide their identity.

Shawn Floyd stopped at the 34th and Lafayette Road Chase Bank January 2nd. While inside, he looked out the window at his church van and noticed his only passenger forced out.

"I seen her getting out of the van. The young man put the gun on her and made her get out and just drove off in the van," Floyd said. The incident shocked him. "I've lived in Indianapolis my whole life and it's always been a safe city."

Since January 1st, robbery detectives are investigating 13 carjackings. That's almost one a day. Three carjackings happened on the west side and the rest east of Meridian.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Officers want you to stay alert when out and about especially at banks. Be cautious about people wearing concealable clothing like hooded sweatshirts.

"In all of these [incidents], these guys are wearing hoodies. Nothing against a hoodie but it seems as though the criminals like to wear them," said Lt. Doug Scheffel, IMPD.

Shawn Floyd says his 15-seat passenger van would be easy to spot because it has distinctive detailing. "It has Jesus on the front and it has Jesus on the back. It's a big blue 15-passenger van like the one you see in the driveway."

Floyd believes despite being down a set of wheels, his life's calling is to help steer young people who get caught up in crime in the right direction.

Like victim Pastor Charles Harrison, robbed at church by teenagers just last week, he offers the carjackers his prayers.

"I Just pray that God Bless them and give them a job to keep them busy," he said.

The youth minister himself will keep busy with or without his van, helping other young people stay out of trouble.