TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - Five different police agencies are searching for 55-year-old Paul Etter, who is suspected of "kidnapping and sexual" crimes, according to the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office.
On Sunday evening, Sheriff Bob Goldsmith said they had reason to believe Etter was at a residence in the 400 block of 900 East, however they were unable to find him. He said they will continue searching throughout the night.
Deputies said a woman notified police around 5 p.m. Saturday that a man abducted her. She told police she was taken against her will after he stopped to help her with a flat tire in the east-central part of Tippecanoe County.
According to deputies, the man then took her to another location and held her there for several hours. Police said he then released the woman in another location.
Deputies on the scene said Etter fled arrest around near State road 26 and 775 East. Indiana State Police, Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Department, Lafayette, West Lafayette, and Dayton Police were all on scene. Deputy Chief Hartman told News 18 at the scene that they were trying to arrest him when he drove away and then ran.
Etter is believed to be armed and dangerous.
An ISP helicopter and an LPD drone searched from the sky, while K9s from LPD and officers from various agencies searched on the ground.
News 18 saw them tow away the suspect's car. It was a dark colored SUV.
The search for the man is still ongoing. The sheriff's department is warning those in the area not to open any doors.
Sheriff Bob Goldsmith said the office has been receiving an outstanding number of calls from concerned neighbors about the ongoing search. If you live in or near the area of the incident, Sheriff Goldsmith said to be mindful of your surroundings and call the office only if something seems out of the ordinary at your residence.
He said deputies and police are actively looking for the suspect and resources are limited.
