[IndianaTrails] Cyclists Threatened at Gunpoint on Monon Trail

[Robert J. Matter]

Cyclists Threatened at Gunpoint on Monon Trail

Nov 9, 2006 06:29 AM
By Daniel Miller

Two cyclists riding on a busy stretch of the Monon Trail were threatened
at gunpoint. The incident happened in broad daylight Sunday and police
say if it wasn't for the quick-thinking cyclists, the situation may have
ended tragically.

"It crossed my mind that there might be some danger on the trail and it
is frightening," victim Steve Tyler said.

Fifty-one-year-old Tyler enjoys biking on the Monon Trail. He never
imagined he would be so hesitant to go back on it. Sunday, he and
another cyclist were on a stretch of the trail near 49th Street when
they were approached by a gunman.

"I didn't really have a lot of time to get frightened," Tyler said.

Tyler said he was riding his bicycle with his headphones on when he
passed the suspect. He realized something was wrong.

"As I approached him, he pointed a gun at me and at that point I decided
to get out of there as quickly as I could," Tyler said.

The incident comes on the heels of another attack on the Monon. In
October, community activist Darrell Aurthur was riding his bike alone on
the trail near 28th Street when he was attacked and nearly beaten to death.

Indianapolis Police say these type of attacks are rare. They say Sunday,
Tyler and the other cyclist did the right thing.

"What they did was appropriate. They kept going. They got out of the
area as fast as they could and they called police," Major Lloyd Crowe
with the Indianapolis Police Department said.

Tyler said this incident won't keep him off the Monon. However, he
cautions others who use it every day.

"I'm concerned about other people on the trail who may be using the
trail naively," Tyler said.

If you saw anything suspicious Sunday on the Monon Trail in the Broad
Ripple area you're urged to call Crime Stoppers at 262-TIPS.

###