Menu
CPD arrests two people following Sunday chase
CLOVERDALE -- Two people are in Putnam County Jail after fleeing from a police officer attempting a traffic stop.
Cletis Anthony Warren, 44, Cloverdale is being held on charges of resisting law enforcement, criminal recklessness, possession of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm. Andrea Nicole Tillberry, 23, Quincy, is being held on charges of resisting law enforcement, possession of methamphetamine and possession of a handgun without a permit.
At 6:23 a.m. Sunday, Cloverdale Police Officer Luke Brown observed a male, later identified as Warren, driving a sportster-style motorcycle with a female passenger, Tillberry, southbound on U.S. 231 with no license plate. He attempted to initiate a traffic stop after the vehicle turned eastbound onto State Road 42.
Brown said rather than stopping Warren accelerated, causing the officer to initiate a pursuit at speeds nearing 90 mph.
"At the Mill Creek Bridge, I backed off believing the bridge to still be closed. The driver accelerated, bypassing the barricades and crossing the bridge. After I observed that the bridge appeared to be passable, I followed and shortly caught back up with the vehicle," Brown explained.
Warren turned south onto County Road 750 East with speeds exceeding 65-mph. The pursuit continued for several minutes, reaching Owen County.
At North Cataract Road and Mill Grove Road, Warren drove the motorcycle off the side of the road, across a field and laid the motorcycle on its side due to the wet grass.
Brown was able to detain the two until Owen County Sheriff's Deputy Michael Browning was on the scene to assist. CPD Sgt. Charlie Hallam also responded to assist.
Brown noted during the course of the pursuit, the passenger was tossing items from the motorcycle in the area of Mill Grove Road and Quincy Road. The items were later identified as a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine as well as a handgun.
Cloverdale Police Chief Mike Clark credited Brown with quick thinking to keep track of the items tossed from the vehicle.
"Luke did a good job. He called out the location (to dispatch) as each item was tossed," Clark said Monday morning.
Clark added the roughly 15-minute chase ended with no injuries, although Warren complained of some chest pain just before being taken to the jail. He was taken to Putnam County Hospital for evaluation and booked into jail at 11:40 a.m.
Warren has a history of drug-related offenses dating back to 2003 with a dealing methamphetamine charge. He was convicted of possession of methamphetamine in 2011 as well. In September 2012, he was convicted of resisting law enforcement and battery resulting in bodily injury, both Class D felonies.