Good samaritan bound, robbed near Spencerville

By BOB BLAKE

SPENCERVILLE — A passing motorist who stopped to help who he thought was a stranded motorist late Tuesday near Spencerville was bound and robbed, law enforcement officials said.

Allen County Sheriff Sam Crish said the incident took place between 11 p.m. and midnight Tuesday on state Route 66, south of Sarka Road.

Crish said Christopher Smith, 24, of Spencerville, was on his way home from work when he saw a disabled vehicle parked southbound on state Route 66. Smith stopped to see if he could help a white man and white woman who were standing by the stopped vehicle.

“The subjects asked Smith if he could give their vehicle’s battery a jump-start and while Smith was attaching battery cable jumpers, one of the two subjects hit Smith in the head with an unknown metal object, causing a large gash/cut and Smith to fall to the ground,” Crish said. “The subject then bound Smith’s hands and removed an unknown amount of cash and other personal items.”

Crish said Smith was forced into his truck and the couple fled in their older model sporty looking car, which was displaying Indiana plates. Smith freed himself, drove home and was taken by family members to St. Rita’s Medical Center, where he was treated, then released, Crish said.

Chief Deputy Jim Everett said the Sheriff’s Office has not handled any similar incidents recently. Everett said other area law enforcement agencies have not reported similar incidents.

“You need to use caution when considering stopping for vehicles. It’s good that people stop to help,” Everett said. “If you’re not comfortable stopping, don’t stop. I think you’ve got to stay with your instincts.”

Everett said anyone who spots a stranded vehicle can call the Sheriff’s Office to get assistance to motorists if they don’t feel comfortable stopping themselves.

“Most people wouldn’t stop,” Everett said. “There are kind-hearted people out there. He stopped and this happened to him.”

The man was described as being in his late 20s or early 30s, about 6-feet tall, weighing 180 pounds with blond hair. The woman was described as being about 5-feet 4-inches tall weighing about 165 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Allen County Sheriff’s Office at 419-227-3535.

Published in The Lima News: April 14, 2011