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Bainbridge man arrested after two-county pursuit
MANHATTAN — A Bainbridge man was arrested without incident Wednesday evening following a pursuit across parts of two counties.
Frank Roche, 31, led police on a chase from the Brazil Walmart to just south of Manhattan in Putnam County before surrendering himself.
The pursuit began with a complaint of a stolen blue Chevrolet Impala at 7:42 p.m.
Brazil City Police officers responded to Walmart store at 2150 E. National Ave. (U.S. 40) and found a car matching the description.
They also observed a man running toward the car in question.
The officers attempted to stop the man, but he was able to get in the car and flee the parking lot.
In the pursuit that ensued, Roche allegedly led officers through the streets of Brazil before leaving town on Pinckley Street, which becomes Clay County Road 900 North. He followed this road all the way to Putnam County, where it becomes Putnam County Road 1000 South.
Clay County sheriff’s deputies also joined the pursuit.
The pursuit continued on Putnam County roads, briefly onto U.S. 40, and then back onto county roads until around 8:15 p.m. At that point, the driver surrendered at County Road 445 West and 750 South, just south of U.S. 40 in Manhattan.
Officers ordered the driver out of the vehicle and he was taken into custody.
Two other occupants of the car were briefly detained, but released with no charges.
Roche was booked in the Clay County Jail at 9:03 p.m. on initial charges of Level 6 felony resisting law enforcement and Class B misdemeanor reckless driving.
Brazil Police Chief Clint McQueen reported that the information has been turned over to the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office for formal charges.
Roche told police he fled because of an outstanding warrant for his arrest in Putnam County.
The warrant relates to a 2018 case for possession of methamphetamine and resisting law enforcement. While Roche has already been sentenced in the case, he failed to appear for a status conference and the warrant was issued.
When all was said and done, Chief McQueen was pleased with the outcome, as no one was injured and no property seriously damaged in the pursuit.
“We were lucky enough to be close by. We tried to stop him and he fled,” McQueen said. “But he did eventually give up and we took him into custody without incident or injury.”