INDIANAPOLIS — A man is now charged with murder and robbery in a deadly carjacking on the east side of Indianapolis Monday afternoon.
An officer near the 2700 block of English Avenue, which is near South Rural Street and Southeastern Avenue, heard a person yelling for help around 2:30 p.m. April 29.
According to court documents, the victim, later identified as 51-year-old Shane Christian Coffman, told officers someone stole his car while he was inside the gas station.
Coffman allegedly told police he left the car running with the keys in it and went inside. When he came back outside, Coffman said he saw someone in the driver's seat of his blue Toyota Camry.
According to court documents, Coffman said he tried to pull the suspect out of the car while it wasn't moving. That's when the suspect allegedly drove off, dragging Coffman approximately 30 yards through the gas station parking lot.
Surveillance video from the gas station confirmed what Coffman told detectives.
After watching the surveillance video, detectives said they believe the suspect intentionally drove toward a fuel pump, causing Coffman to hit the barriers.
Police said Coffman was rushed to the hospital in critical condition with trauma to his body, but he died from his injuries.
Police put out the description of the stolen car and located it approximately 25 minutes later in the 1000 block of Holt Road, near 10th Street on the west side of the city.
Officers took Chad Martin, 33, of Greencastle, into custody on preliminary charges of murder and robbery.
On Thursday, the prosecutor's office confirmed Martin was charged with murder and robbery.
According to court documents, Martin told detectives he was released from the Community Justice Campus earlier in the day Monday.
When asked about being stopped by Speedway police officers, Martin allegedly said the car was his and that he might be a victim of identity fraud.
Martin allegedly told officers during his arrest, “This is my vehicle” and “Just got my vehicle." Police claim he went on to say, “The car was stolen from me, that’s how I had the keys. Sir, I told the guy this is my car and I want it back.”
Martin allegedly said he got the car from a family member's home and denied hurting anyone.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Anthony Johnson at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475 or email him at Anthony.Johnson@indy.gov.
Tips can also be made anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.