Batesville-The first incident began this morning at approximately 12:30 a.m., when officers from Batesville P.D., Laurel P.D., and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department attempted to stop a vehicle on I-74 in Ripley County that had recently fled from officers in Hamilton County, Ohio.
Officers observed the 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier traveling at a high rate of speed westbound on I-74 near the 151 mile marker near Batesville, Indiana. The vehicle, being driven by Jamison Hunter, age 18, Connersville, Indiana, fled from the officers westbound on I-74. Trp. Nicholas Albrecht and Decatur County deputies began pursuing the vehicle after the vehicle struck stop sticks near the 143 mile marker. The vehicle exited at the New Point exit onto County Road 850 East. Due to all of the tires on the vehicle being damaged by the stop sticks, the vehicle slowed and eventually crashed into a guard rail on County Road 850 East near County Road 300 North in Decatur County.
After the vehicle came to a stop, Hunter along with Robert Bowles, age 18, Connersville, Indiana and a 17 year old male juvenile were taken into custody. The investigation determined that the three suspects had stolen items from Franklin County, Indiana residences before fleeing from officers in Ohio. All three will face theft charges. Hunter faces charges of resisting law enforcement, operating while intoxicated, and reckless driving. Bowles was also arrested on a warrant out of Fayette County, Indiana. All three were transported to the Decatur County Jail. The juvenile was released to the custody of a guardian.
The three suspects may all additionally faces charges in Franklin County, Indiana and Hamilton County, Ohio.
Trp. Albrecht was assisted by other troopers along with officers from the Decatur and Franklin County Sheriff’s Departments, Batesville Police Department, and Laurel Police Department.
Arrest photos of the suspects may be obtained by contacting the Decatur County Jail.
Attached: Picture of suspect’s red 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier.
Seymour-The second incident began at approximately 10:00 a.m. this morning when Sgt. Brian Wilson responded to northbound I-65 near the 54 mile marker reference a two vehicle crash
The initial caller reported that one vehicle, a silver 2003 Jeep Liberty, left the scene of the crash and exited onto State Route 11. Sgt. Wilson soon located the vehicle, which was being driven by Joel M. Hankins, age 30, Seymour, Indiana. Sgt. Wilson attempted to stop the vehicle which was traveling northbound on State Route 11 near County Road 450 South in Bartholomew County. Hankins then fled from Sgt. Wilson and other assisting officers. Hankins traveled westbound on Southern Crossing and State Route 58 before traveling southbound into Jackson County.
After approximately a 30 minute pursuit, it came to an end at County Road 400 West and County Road 900 North in Jackson County after Sgt. Wilson initiated a pursuit intervention technique which disabled Hankins’ vehicle and safely ended the pursuit. Hankins was taken into custody without further incident. He was arrested for charges of leaving the scene of a crash, reckless driving, and resisting law enforcement. Hankins was transported to the Bartholomew County Jail.
Sgt. Wilson was assisted by other troopers with the Indiana State Police, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, and the Columbus Police Department.
An arrest photo of Hankins may be obtained by contacting the Bartholomew County Jail.
Attached: Picture of Sgt. Brian Wilson’s vehicle with Hankins’ vehicle in background.
-30- SGT. STEPHEN WHEELES
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
