A 17-year-old from Owensboro is facing multiple drug and traffic charges after leading officers on a short pursuit in Evansville, according to the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office.
According to a release, deputies working overtime enforcement for aggressive driving and speeding in the area of US 41 near Waterworks Road spotted a vehicle traveling north at 64 mph in a 50 mph zone.
Authorities said the deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop but the suspect driver failed to stop and began to flee. The pursuit speeds ranged between 30-40 mph and ended approximately 3 minutes later in the area of Akin Park where the suspect fled the vehicle on foot, according to the release.
VCSO was assisted by the Evansville Police Department and a Sheriff’s Office K9 during the search.
“After approximately 40 minutes of searching, law enforcement noticed a suspicious vehicle traveling around inside the perimeter that appeared to be lost or looking for someone to pick up, such as the suspect from the pursuit,” the release says. “The vehicle stopped and turned around several times and later turned into a nearby restaurant on Covert Avenue and US 41. The suspect vehicle was stopped and the suspect from the pursuit was located in the back seat of the vehicle where he was taken into custody by EPD officers.”
According to VCSO, the suspect identified himself as a 17-year-old from Owensboro. The release says deputies located a large amount of currency on the suspect, suspected narcotic drugs, and a digital scale.
The juvenile suspect is being charged with resisting law enforcement (an L6 felony in Indiana), resisting law enforcement (A misdemeanor), dealing a narcotic drug (L2 felony), possession of paraphernalia (B misdemeanor), and operating without ever receiving a license (C misdemeanor). The suspect was later transported to a juvenile detention facility where he was booked on the above charges.
This case is still under investigation and additional charges are expected at a later time, according to VCSO.
