One suspect held on $10,000 bond as cohort remains on the lam
A 51-year-old Clay County man was ordered held on $10,000 cash bond Monday for his alleged role in fleeing from police in a recent incident.
Kurt M. Taylor, of Brazil, is facing a Level 6 felony count of resisting law enforcement, punishable by six months to 2-1/2 years in prison, as a result of a Jan. 31 incident in which he and Tracey (aka Aaron) W. Burk, 45, Reelsville, fled police after attempts were made to stop the 1999 Ford Explorer Taylor was driving.
Taylor made his initial appearance in Putnam Superior Court Monday afternoon with Judge Denny Bridges entering a preliminary plea of not guilty on his behalf.
Putnam County Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter asked that Taylor's bond be imposed at $10,000 cash due to the defendant's alleged involvement in Burk's flight.
That promoted Judge Bridges to ask the status of the missing Burk.
"He's still on the lam, your honor," Bookwalter responded.
Bridges appointed Trudy Selvia to serve as Taylor's court-appointed attorney, setting a pretrial conference date of March 25 at 9 a.m.
Meanwhile, authorities are still seeking Burk, whose flight from police initiated a manhunt Saturday morning near the Putnam-Owen county line.
The incident began about 5:30 a.m. when Putnam County Sheriff's
Department Lt. Doug Nally spotted Burk riding in the passenger seat of a vehicle that just passed. Nally immediately directed units nearby to make a traffic stop on County Road 1200 South near 500 East.
But Taylor failed to stop and led police on a short vehicle pursuit.
When Taylor did stop, Burk exited the vehicle and fled south into a heavily wooded area, managing to elude authorities despite a K-9 tracking team and use of the Indiana State Police air support unit.
Several buildings and barns nearby were checked out before the search was called off shortly before noon Saturday.
Burk, wanted for a parole violation, is also sought in Clay County for kidnapping, criminal confinement, battery and robbery.
He is one of five Clay County residents facing felony charges in the latter incident, which involved the kidnapping of an adult male and his subsequent beating with a frying pan, baton and machete.
The public is asked to call the Putnam County Sheriff's Office at 653-3211 if they have information on the whereabouts of Burk.