Vanderburgh County – At approximately 1:20 this morning, Trooper Fox and Evansville Police were in the area of Covert Avenue and Green River Road looking for a suspect involved in an alleged carjacking and shooting that occurred late Monday night. Trooper Fox observed a 2002 Lincoln stop in the middle southbound lane at the traffic light on Green River Road at Covert Avenue. After the traffic light turned green the vehicle suddenly made an improper turn by turning west onto Covert from the incorrect lane. The vehicle then turned into the parking lot at Chuckles. Trooper Fox stopped the vehicle in the parking lot, approached the vehicle and identified the driver as Steven Martin Freels, 25, of Evansville. Fox detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage while talking to Freels. During the traffic stop a male driving a street sweeping truck approached Fox and informed him that a handgun was laying in the roadway on Covert just west of Green River Road. Evansville Police immediately responded and secured the weapon. Trooper Fox had just driven through that area before stopping Freels and did not see the weapon. Fox believes the handgun was thrown out of the vehicle after Freels turned onto Covert Avenue and before turning into Chuckle’s parking lot. The .380 caliber handgun was loaded. Further investigation revealed Freels had a blood alcohol content of .13%. He was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where he is currently being held without bond.
NOTE: Freels has not be arrested or charged with a crime connecting him to the carjacking/shooting that occurred last night in the area of Covert Avenue and Green River Road.
Arrested and Charges:
- Steven Martin Freels, 25, Evansville, IN
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon
- Carrying a Handgun without a License
- Driving While Intoxicated
Arresting Officer: Trooper Taylor Fox, Indiana State Police
Assisting Agency: Evansville Police
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.