GPD pursuit results in arrest of Greencastle man
Greencastle City Police were involved in a vehicle pursuit Friday afternoon that resulted in the arrest of a Greencastle man on four criminal charges.
At approximately 3:45 p.m., Officer Kyle Lee was northbound on Jackson Street when he reportedly observed a male, whom he believed he recognized as Drew Evens, 25, in the driver's seat of an SUV stopped at the traffic light at the intersection of Washington and Jackson streets.
Aware of an active Putnam County warrant for Evens' arrest, Officer Lee turned his fully marked squad car around for a second look at the male to confirm that the driver of the SUV was in fact Evens.
After confirming his identity, Lee turned around to follow the vehicle to initiate a traffic stop. As the officer was turning around, the SUV turned west down Franklin Street at which time Officer Lee activated his red and blue emergency lights, showing his intent initiate a traffic stop.
However, the vehicle did not pull over but reportedly accelerated, at which time Officer Lee marked in pursuit of the vehicle.
Evens subsequently led police across several city blocks on the west side of Greencastle at speeds reportedly reaching 55-60 mph, going down alleys and small side streets.
While speeding down an alley, the vehicle Evens was driving struck a rock with a passenger side tire, causing it to deflate rapidly.
Evens reportedly continued to flee from police with the flat tire until officers were able to block the SUV from continuing any further at the intersection of Market and Washington streets. Evens was then taken into custody without incident.
A search of Evens' vehicle resulted in the discovery of a glass pipe, commonly used to ingest methamphetamine, and a white crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine, GPD officials reported.
Chief Tom Sutherlin, Det. Capt. Randy Seipel, Det. Sgt. Michael Collins and Officer Darrel Bunten assisted in the vehicle pursuit and subsequent arrest of Evens.
Lodged in the Putnam County Jail, Evens was preliminarily charged with resisting law enforcement with a motor vehicle, criminal recklessness, possession of methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia.