NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – On Monday, December 4, 2017, at approximately 12:45 am, the North Manchester Police Department received a report of a vehicle theft that had just occurred at the Huck’s gas station at 104 Wabash Road in North Manchester. While attempting to locate the vehicle, officers were told it had been taken by Samuel Lopez, 28, of North Manchester and that a female inside was taken with the vehicle.
According to witness statements, Teresa Gish, 56 North Manchester, and a friend encountered Lopez in the parking lot of the North Manchester McDonald’s where he requested a ride to Huck’s. Although unfamiliar with Lopez they agreed to give him a ride. While in Huck’s, Lopez ran out and got into the driver’s seat and drove off with Gish in the car. While driving, Lopez grabbed a knife that was in the vehicle and stabbed Gish in the chest. She was able to exit the moving vehicle and hid behind a pine tree before going to Manchester Metals, 205 Wabash Road, for help. Gish was taken to a Fort Wayne hospital by Parkview EMS.
Mr. Lopez then drive to Strauss Feeds at 648 E 1100 N and got into a semi, asking for a ride. The driver took him to Manchester Trading Post at 3 W SR 114, where he struck the driver with a metal wrench. He then got out of the semi, approached a pregnant woman and was attempting to steal her vehicle as North Manchester Police Sergeant Nate Birch arrived on the scene. Lopez then resisted arrest while being taken into custody by Sergeant Birch.
Mr. Lopez is being preliminarily charged with Attempted Murder, Criminal Confinement, Robbery, Battery on a Pregnant Woman, Battery with a Deadly Weapon, Resisting Law Enforcement, Battery and Operating a Vehicle While Never Licensed. He is currently being held in the Wabash County Jail.
North Manchester Police were assisted at the scene by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police, Parkview EMS, and North Manchester Fire Department.