PUTNAM COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – The suspect involved in a pursuit on I-70 was taken into custody after being picked up by a Good Samaritan.
According to a press release, the incident happened around 7:40 pm on Monday after a trooper observed a vehicle traveling westbound on I-70 near the 36-mile-marker with an expired license plate.
Indiana State Police said a traffic stop was initiated, and the vehicle came to a stop in the emergency lane. The trooper made contact with the driver and criminal activity was immediately detected.
The driver was reportedly asked to exit the vehicle; however, the driver disregarded the trooper’s verbal request and drove away, traveling westbound on I-70.
Police said the trooper immediately returned to his patrol car giving chase. The vehicle then made an abrupt and illegal U-turn at the thirty-five-mile marker, clipping the side of a semi tractor-trailer, and began traveling eastbound on I-70.
The pursued vehicle continued traveling eastbound, allegedly reaching speeds of over 110 MPH, when a front tire went flat causing the vehicle to go into the median. As it was coming to a stop in the median, the driver bailed on foot and took off running.
The trooper exited his vehicle and allegedly gave loud verbal commands for the male suspect to stop, but the commands were disregarded, and he pursued on foot. Several other troopers of the Putnamville Post arrived on scene in an attempt to locate the suspect.
A good samaritan, traveling on County Road 900 South, saw the suspect walking and offered him a ride. Unbeknownst to the suspect, the good samaritan, thinking he needed help, took the male back to where the police were located. As they grew closer to the police lights, the suspect, understanding where he was being taken, jumped out of the moving vehicle in an attempt to evade the police once again.
Another state police trooper, who was in the immediate area, was able to take the male suspect into custody.
The suspect was identified as Aaron N. Bassett, 33, of Indianapolis.
Further investigation revealed that he had an active felony warrant out of Marion County for domestic violence.
Bassett also displayed signs of impairment and was provided the opportunity to submit to a certified chemical test but refused.
Once Bassett was medically cleared at the Putnam County Hospital, he was arrested and taken to the Putnam County Jail where he is currently being held without bond.
Charges:
- Resisting Law Enforcement, Felony 6
- Domestic Violence, Felony 6 (Marion County Warrant)
- Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Class A Misdemeanor
- Reckless Driving, Class A Misdemeanor
- Operating Without Ever Obtaining License, Class A Misdemeanor
- Leaving the Scene of a Crash, Class B Misdemeanor
