The enthusiasm involved in the pursuit of a stolen vehicle across recently-sowed farm fields got “a little out of hand,” a Bartholomew County commissioner said Monday.
Commissioner Rick Flohr was referring to the May 16 pursuit of Aaron S. Wiley, 28, of Hope, who is accused of stealing a 2011 Toyota Highlander from an Indianapolis car dealership, and then driving the SUV to Bartholomew County.
During an hour-long pursuit, Wiley traveled rural roads in both southern Bartholomew and northern Jackson counties until his vehicle struck multiple tire deflation devises near Jonesville, police said.
That’s when Wiley – who was driving on three rims – drove into a farm field near County Road 850 South in Jonesville, followed by as many as 17 patrol vehicles, according to witness testimony. It was only after a two-mile pursuit in those fields that Wiley was stopped and taken into custody, one witness said.
On Monday, a consequence of that pursuit was considered by the county commissioners about the agricultural fields owned by five farmers. All sustained substantial damage during the pursuit shortly after spring planting was completed, said Curt Burbrink of Burbrink Farms.
While addressing county officials through an audio/video conference Monday, Burbrink spoke on behalf of himself and four other farmers in seeking compensation.
Like Flohr, Burbrink said he believes 18 vehicles racing across two miles of newly-sowed agricultural fields was “a little bit overboard.”
Although the fields are insured, each farmer will have to pay a $1,000 to $2,000 deductible, he said.
For more on this story, see Wednesday’s Republic.
