Putnamville trooper apprehends wanted man after foot chase

CUNOT-- A 31-year-old Putnam County man was arrested late Friday following a foot pursuit by an Indiana State Police trooper.

Around 10:30 p.m. Friday, Putnamville Post Trooper David Cox Jr. was helping Cloverdale Police Sgt. Charlie Hallam locate the driver of a vehicle left abandoned in a field near State Road 243 and County Road 1000 South.

Evidence of alcohol consumption was found at the scene.

While still looking for the driver approximately 30 minutes later, Trooper Cox located a male walking south along State Road 243 near Cunot around 11 p.m.

As the man spotted the trooper, he fled on foot through the backyards of area residents.

The suspect was apprehended a few minutes later following a foot chase by Trooper Cox.

Arrested and lodged in the Owen County Jail at Spencer was James L. Blankenship, 31, of Cloverdale, on charges of possession of methamphetamine (felony) and resisting law enforcement (misdemeanor) in addition to the Owen County warrant.

During a search of the suspect, a small amount of suspected methamphetamine was discovered in his pocket and the suspect was found to be wanted on an Owen County warrant for failure to appear.

Assisting in the arrest were Cloverdale Police Sgt, Hallam and his K-9 partner "Chewy."

Further investigation into the abandoned vehicle continues by the Cloverdale Police Department, State Police said.