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. She was able to exit the vehicle after being stabbed in the chest. The female was taken to a Fort Wayne hospital by Parkview EMS.
Mr. Lopez then allegedly drove 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 battered the driver, got out of the truck and then attempted to take control of another vehicle before being taken into custody by North Manchester Police Department Sergeant Nate 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.