JENNINGS COUNTY — Jennings County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a North Vernon driver after he attempted to flee deputies.
Deputy Thomas Mellencamp attempted to stop a white Impala at Poplar and North State streets in North Vernon at 11:13 a.m. Tuesday, said Lt. Mike Mowery, sheriff’s department spokesman.
The vehicle accelerated, turning left onto Rogers Lane and then on to Main Street before coming to a stop at Main and South Gum Street, Mowery said.
Mellencamp made contact with the male driver who was identified as Jeremy Clark, 35, North Vernon. Clark told Mellencamp that he had a suspended driver’s license, Mowery said.
During the investigation, Mellencamp located a small bag containing approximately a half gram of heroin, Mowery said. Clark then grabbed the heroin and threw it, Mowery said.
When Mellencamp attempted to handcuff Clark, he resisted, deputies said.
Mellencamp, Deputy Sgt. Allen Ritchie and North Vernon Police Department Officer Isaac Barkes attempted to detain Clark but he still resisted and fought the officers, Mowery said.
Ritchie then deployed his K-9 Partner Vampir who apprehended Clark which allowed officers to gain control and place Clark in handcuffs, Mowery said.
When searching the vehicle, deputies found a glass smoking device with white residue, commonly used to smoke methamphetamine, Mowery said.
Clark was arrested on preliminary charges of:
- Resisting law enforcement, Level 6 Felony
- Possession of a narcotic drug, Level 6 Felony
- Possession of methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony
- Obstruction of justice, Class A Misdemeanor
- Resisting law enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor
- Possession of paraphernalia, Class B Misdemeanor
Clark was treated at the scene by medical personnel and then taken to the Bartholomew County Jail, where he was being held in lieu of $3,155 bond, Mowery said.
For more on this story, see Thursday’s Republic.
