Staff Reports
Taylorsville resident Billy Ray Denson was arrested on multiple charges after leading police on a chase on Christmas Eve.
Bartholomew County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a complaint regarding a civil matter at about 5:10 p.m. Thursday in the 9000 block U.S. 31 North near Taylorsville.
When deputies arrived, two vehicles were in the process of pulling out onto U.S. 31. As Lt. Greg Duke and Deputy Andrew Dougan approached the two vehicles on foot, a subject in a small van identified himself — by a name that later turned out to be false — and the driver of the second vehicle began to back away, according to a news release.
As Duke dealt with the second vehicle, the driver of the van darted south on U.S. 31 before turning north. Dougan pursued the van, which went into Taylorsville on County Road 650N and began turning onto various streets.
The suspect traveled north on East Street out of Taylorsville, heading for the railroad before he abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot with both deputies in pursuit.
Sheriff Matt Myers, other deputies, an Indiana State Police trooper and a Columbus Police Department K-9 assisted. The K-9 followed a scent and the suspect, identified as Denson, 43, 9630 Depot St., was located in a locked garage hiding under some clothing inside a car. A dagger/fighting knife was found with him in the vehicle.
Denson was transported to the Bartholomew County Jail where he remains in lieu of a $57,000 bond.
He was booked in on two felony warrants and new charges of operating a vehicle with a lifetime suspension, resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, criminal recklessness with a vehicle, reckless driving and false informing.
