Both suspects arrested after Wed. kidnapping, police chase

DAVIESS CO., Ky. and SPENCER CO., In. (WFIE) - The second suspect in a chase we’ve been covering is now in custody.

Daviess and Spencer County authorities were led on the chase Wednesday evening.

Authorities tell us it all started at home in Chrisney, when Robert Chilcoate and Francis Wilkins V pulled a gun.

They say the men then went into Kentucky and took a woman and her three-year-old child from a home on McFarland Avenue. Officials believe the woman and Wilkins had been in a prior relationship.

From there, they say Chilcoate picked up his son.

Authorities say the men then went to a mobile home and tried to lure a nine year old girl into their van. They say they threatened to go get their gun.

The girl ran to her mother who called police. Authorities don’t believe the men knew the girl.

“It really upsets me," said Belinda Loyd, who is a leader for the neighborhood watch in the area. "We’ve had some pretty shady characters out here. Had so many people breaking into my car, and stealing things out of the yard. So I invested in cameras.”

Shortly after that, authorities spotted the car and a chase started. The pursuit went over the Natcher Bridge and into Spencer County.

Officials say two guns were thrown over the bridge.

They say the car went off the road into a corn field near AK Steel, and Chilcoate ran from the scene.

Wilkins was arrested and held on local charges. The Daveiss County Sheriff’s Office says both men will also face charges of possession of a hand gun by convicted felon, two counts kidnapping, one count attempted kidnapping, failing to stop for police, and fleeing and evading police.

Authorities say the woman and two children in the car were taken to the hospital to be checked out.

Troopers say they got a tip Thursday that someone spotted Chilcoate in the field near Highway 231 and CR 350N. Our cameras were there as he was taken into custody just before around 1:05 p.m. on C.R. 400 North just west of C.R. 100 East.

[Manhunt ends after kidnapping suspect found hiding in cornfield]

Authorities say several agencies helped in the search, using drones, helicopters, and thermal imaging.

Authorities say Chilcoate recently served time in a Kentucky jail.

They say they were not sure if he was was armed, but Daviess County authorities did see weapons thrown over the bridge during Wednesday’s chase.

Here is the full interview from the Spencer County Sheriff:

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