FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Fort Wayne police have arrested a suspect after he took off from an officer trying to conduct a traffic stop. That officer had seen a Toyota Avalon going 58 in a 35 mph zone. That was on Clinton near Oakdale. The Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) says the man, identified as David Smilton II, eventually stopped at the Villages of Hanna.
He barricaded himself in an apartment. After another attempt to get away by jumping from a window, officers found him in a different apartment. He was arrested and is now facing several charges.
The FWPD released the following:
On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at approximately 1:11 p.m., an officer assigned to the Fort Wayne Police Department Traffic Enforcement Unit observed a gray Toyota Avalon traveling southbound on Clinton Street near Oakdale Avenue at 58 mph in a posted 35 mph zone. The vehicle was also observed making unsafe lane changes.
The officer initiated a traffic stop; however, the driver refused to stop and fled. A vehicle pursuit was initiated, with speeds reaching nearly 90 mph. During the pursuit, the suspect vehicle sideswiped another vehicle and continued fleeing the scene without stopping.
The pursuit concluded in the Villages of Hanna area, where the suspect exited the vehicle and fled on foot into an apartment building. The suspect then entered an apartment and jumped from a second-story window in an attempt to evade officers.
Officers later located the suspect south of the Villages of Hanna after he entered a residence that was not his through an unlocked front door. Once inside, the suspect barricaded himself in the attic.
Due to the barricaded suspect, the Fort Wayne Police Department’s Emergency Services Team (EST), Crisis Response Team (CRT), and Air Support Unit (ASU) were called to assist.
After an extended incident, the suspect exited the residence and was taken into custody without further incident. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained while fleeing from police and was later transported to the Allen County Jail.
Suspect Arrested #1:
David Lee Smilton II (23 years old) Fort Wayne Preliminary Charges:
Resisting Law Enforcement Fleeing in a vehicle – F6 Residential Entry – F6
Resisting Law enforcement (fleeing on foot) – AMIS Leaving the scene of an accident – BMIS
Reckless Driving unreasonably High Speeds – CMIS
Unlicensed Driver – CMIS
Active Warrant for Arrest for:
ELECT MONITOR NONCOMPL/UNLAWFUl CARRYING OF A HANDGUN – AMIS
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