Chase startles trick-or-treaters

A low-speed police chase through downtown Cloverdale landed a motorcyclist in jail Wednesday night and startled passing trick-or-treaters and their parents.

Cloverdale Police Chief Charlie Hallam arrested Gene Jones, 47, Cloverdale, on preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement with a motor vehicle, criminal recklessness, operating a vehicle while intoxicated and driving while a habitual traffic violator, all felonies, and reckless driving, a misdemeanor shortly before 7 p.m., Hallam said.

Hallam was dispatched to U.S. 231 and Stardust Road after a pedestrian called 911 when Jones fell off of his Harley Davidson motorcycle while he was sitting at the traffic light. The caller told dispatchers she smelled alcohol on his breath, Hallam said.

When Hallam caught up with Jones and attempted to pull him over, he did not stop, he said.

Hallam then pursued Jones south on U.S. 231 at speeds of about 30 miles per hour.

As he drove into more crowded areas in downtown Cloverdale, Hallam pulled his car along side Jones' motorcycle and motioned for him to pull over.

When he approached Logan Street, Jones slowed and Hallam pulled his squad car in front of the motorcycle to cut him off. This caused Jones to hit Hallam's car and fall over, Hallam said.

The Cloverdale Police Chief said he pulled in front of the motorcyclist to stop him quickly because the chase endangered trick-or-treaters who were walking up and down the adjacent sidewalks.

Jones was treated at the scene by Operation Life ambulance personnel and transported to Putnam County Hospital before being booked into th e Putnam County Jail.

Meanwhile, a single vehicle crash in the northeast of the county about an hour later downed a utility pole and a damaged a telephone box, knocking out service to local customers.

Ryan Pierce, 18, Avon, was driving south on County Road 800 North and lost of his Ford Expedition control as he attempted to turn onto County Road 665 East, said Putnam County Sheriff's Reserve Deputy Barry Barger.

The SUV then struck a utility pole, breaking it two. It hit a telephone box and rolled at least once before coming to rest on its side, said Barger, who responded to the scene.

Three of the five passengers in the car, a 16-year-old, a 17-year-old and Malachi Bowen, 20, Plainfield, were transported to Hendricks Regional Health with complaints of back, neck and shoulder pain. None of the injuries were life threatening he said.

Alcohol was not a factor in the crash, Barger added.