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Ride from Good Samaritan Brings Pursuit Suspect Back to Police
Putnam County - April 12, 2022, at approximately 7:40 p.m., Trooper Austin Fowler observed a blue vehicle traveling westbound on Interstate 70 near the thirty-six-mile marker with an expired license plate. A traffic stop was initiated, and the vehicle came to a stop in the emergency lane. Trooper Fowler made contact with the male driver and criminal activity was immediately detected. The driver was then asked to exit the vehicle; however, the driver disregarded Trooper Fowler’s verbal request and drove away, traveling westbound on Interstate 70. Trooper Fowler immediately returned to his patrol car giving chase. Suddenly, the vehicle made an abrupt and illegal U-turn at the thirty-five-mile marker, clipping the side of a semi tractor-trailer, and began traveling eastbound on Interstate 70. The pursued vehicle continued traveling eastbound, reaching speeds of over 110 MPH, when a front tire went flat causing the vehicle to go into the median. As it was coming to a stop in the median, the driver bailed on foot and took off running. Trooper Fowler exited his vehicle and gave loud verbal commands for the male suspect to stop, but the commands were disregarded, and he pursued on foot. Several other troopers of the Putnamville Post arrived on scene in an attempt to locate the suspect.
A good samaritan, traveling on County Road 900 South, saw the suspect walking and offered him a ride. Unbeknownst to the suspect, the good samaritan, thinking he needed help, took the male back to where the police were located. As they grew closer to the police lights, the suspect, understanding where he was being taken, jumped out of the moving vehicle in an attempt to evade the police once again. Master Trooper Todd Brown, who was in the immediate area, was able to take the male suspect into custody.
The suspect was positively identified as Aaron N. Bassett, age 33, of Indianapolis, Indiana. Further investigation by Trooper Fowler revealed that he had an active felony warrant out of Marion County for domestic violence. Bassett also displayed signs of impairment and was provided the opportunity to submit to a certified chemical test but refused. Once Bassett was medically cleared at the Putnam County Hospital, he was arrested and taken to the Putnam County Jail where he is currently being held without bond.
Arrested and Charges: Aaron N. Bassett, 33, Indianapolis
- Resisting Law Enforcement, Felony 6
- Domestic Violence, Felony 6 (Marion County Warrant)
- Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Class A Misdemeanor
- Reckless Driving, Class A Misdemeanor
- Operating Without Ever Obtaining License, Class A Misdemeanor
- Leaving the Scene of a Crash, Class B Misdemeanor
All criminal defendants are presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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