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 devices 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, police 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.
“We know we can’t file a claim against the gentleman in the (SUV) because that would probably be useless,” Burbrink told the commissioners. “We also realize we can’t send a bill to the Sheriff’s Department because that’s not the way you go about it.”
Presenting the case to the commissioners became the only place the farmers had any hope of recouping losses, Burbrink said.
After being asked his thoughts, Bartholomew County Chief Deputy Sheriff Maj. Chris Lane said the suspect is solely responsible for the consequences of the pursuit that began on 25th Street, east of Taylor Road in Columbus.
When a tow truck attempted to retrieve the stolen Highlander, Wiley struck a towing company employee while he sped away and initiated the pursuit, which Lane said shows “total disregard.” The employee was not seriously hurt.
Some officers who joined in the off-road pursuit were Indiana State Police troopers who, according to commissioner Larry Kleinhenz, went against their department’s policies that doesn’t allow them from venturing off a county highway during a pursuit.
“But the sheriff and commissioners all recognize all five farmers do have damage, and that it came at no fault of their own,” Kleinhenz told Burbrink. “We’re going to try to pursue compensation.”
Lane suggested examining the possibility that the Indianapolis dealership that owns the stolen vehicle use some insurance money to help compensate the farmers.
While the county plans to investigate other potential financial resources, commissioners chairman Carl Lienhoop expressed confidence that the five farmers will receive some satisfaction.
“I don’t know if I should go out on a limb and guarantee you a $4,400 claim settlement, but I think it is the commissioners that determine if that can happen,” Lienhoop said.
In response, Burbrink said he believes all five farmers will find that amount satisfactory. But he also suggested that all local law enforcement agencies review their policies about conducting police pursuits in farm fields.
