Evansville man arrested after multi-county police chase involving stolen beer truck ends in crash
Credit: Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office A reportedly stolen beer truck after a police chase and crash in Evansville, seen March 27, 2026.
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — An Evansville man was arrested Friday afternoon after authorities say he led deputies on a pursuit while driving a stolen beer truck.
According to the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, deputies located a beer truck that had been reported stolen out of Evansville at approximately 3:05 p.m. on March 27. The truck was traveling westbound on Diamond Avenue near Resurrection Drive when deputies attempted a traffic stop. Investigators say the driver refused to pull over and instead led deputies on a pursuit that continued into Posey County.
During the chase, deputies say stop sticks were deployed in an effort to stop the vehicle. Authorities allege the driver then steered the truck toward a deputy and struck the deputy’s patrol vehicle, causing extensive damage. The impact forced the beer truck off the roadway, where it came to rest in a nearby field. The deputy was not struck by the truck and was not injured, according to the sheriff’s office.
After the crash, deputies say the suspect refused to exit the vehicle. Officers then used less-lethal rounds before taking the man into custody.
The suspect was identified as 41-year-old Randall Baker of Evansville. He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries sustained in the crash before being transported to the Vanderburgh County Jail.
Baker faces the following preliminary charges:
Attempted murder
Auto theft
Criminal recklessness
Three counts of resisting law enforcement
Reckless operation of a tractor trailer
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated
Theft
The Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office will make the final determination on formal charges.
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