Search for fugitives wanted for child molestation has ended in Indiana

Dayton Daily News - 7/21/2018

July 21--WAYNE COUNTY, Indiana -- UPDATE @ 10:07 a.m.:

Police agencies out of Richmond Indiana have confirmed the search for two fugitives wanted on child molestation charges has ended.

Update July 21 @ 7:52 a.m.:

Local, state, and federal officers are actively searching for two fugitives who fled police apprehension Friday afternoon in Richmond, Wayne County Regional Dispatch confirmed.

Brothers Charles and Alan Estep, both wanted on child molestation charges, fled into a reservoir and then into a heavily wooded area at 1750 Sylvan Nook Drive, Richmond police said in a statement posted on their Facebook page.

The Estep brothers are both 27-years-old, Caucasian and 5 feet 9 inches tall. Charles weighs 150 lbs. with blonde hair and green eyes. Alan weighs 160 lbs. with brown hair and brown eyes.

SWAT teams, water crafts and drones piloted by the Richmond Fire Department have been used in the search.

The fugitives are considered armed and dangerous. Police are urging anyone with information to call 911 immediately.

FIRST REPORT July 20 @ 2:49 p.m.:

Richmond Police and federal agents are searching for two possibly armed men who eluded them after a chase Friday afternoon on the north side of the Middlefork Reservoir area in Richmond, Indiana.

The Wayne County 9-1-1 Center sent out two tweets alerting residents in the area to the manhunt. Reports are the two men are wanted on child molestation charges.

A man living in the area who contacted our newsroom said he and other residents were told by Richmond Police to stay indoors. The man added police suggested contacting them for an escort if you needed to go outside to get in to your vehicle.

The man told our newsroom a boat and a drone appeared to being used in the search.

According to emergency dispatch the suspect eluded police during a foot chase and is now at large. Indiana University East issued an alert Friday stating their campus was on lockdown. The campus was later closed for the day as the manhunt continued.

We are working to learn more.

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