Owensboro Police Department Officer Jacob Chesher has been identified as the victim who was shot Saturday night by Bronson T. Lindsey, a 32-year-old Rockport man. Chesher was released from the hospital May 15, but a timeline for his full recovery is unknown.
Chesher sustained injuries that require healing before returning to active duty. He has served the Owensboro community for approximately 2 years.
“Officer Chesher and our Department would like to thank the community for the concern, support and assistance in identifying Mr. Lindsey quickly,” according to a release from OPD. “The overwhelming law enforcement support from so many agencies in the area to assist in locating and taking Lindsey into custody does not go unnoticed. Officers and deputies from multiple agencies responded to this massive manhunt to assist and their dedication to taking a dangerous and violent offender into custody has made our community and the surrounding communities a safer place.
According to the Owensboro Police Department, detectives were able to identify Lindsey with the aid of numerous tips. An arrest warrant was obtained for Lindsey while agencies continued to search
the Spencer County area where he was last seen.
At approximately 5:12 a.m. Sunday, Lindsey was located in Spencer County by agencies assisting in the search. Based on the arrest warrant that was obtained, he is being held pending extradition in the Spencer County Jail.
Lindsey faces the following charges:
• Robbery – first degree
• Assault – first degree (police officer)
• Wanton endangerment – first Degree (police officer)
• Possession of a handgun by a convicted felon
• Theft by unlawful taking of an automobile ($10,000 – $1,000,000)
• Receiving stolen property (firearm)
According to a release, at approximately 8:54 p.m. Saturday ,OPD officers were investigating a suspicious person at 1816 Triplett Street (Eagles Convenience Store). This individual and his vehicle matched the description from an earlier reported robbery at 217 E. 25th Street (Franey’s Food Mart), according to OPD.
During questioning, the suspect began a physical altercation with officers, according to the release. During the altercation the suspect fired one round from a handgun he had concealed and an officer was struck. The suspect immediately stole an OPD police vehicle belonging to the officer and fled the scene.
The officer was transported to Owensboro Health Regional Hospital by AMR ambulance.
The stolen police vehicle was recovered a short time later in Spencer County, Indiana.
