Courtesy-Hope Police FB page
SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. – A Madison, Indiana man was arrested on numerous charges Tuesday night following a vehicle pursuit where shots were fired after the suspect’s vehicle drove towards an officer.
The incident began shortly before 10:30 p.m. when an officer from the Hope Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a car in Hope. The driver, later identified as Joseph L. Morrow, 41, of Madison, refused to stop and a vehicle pursuit was initiated. The chase, through Bartholomew and Decatur Counties, lasted about 30 minutes. Multiple police agencies joined the pursuit.
At around 11 p.m., the vehicle entered a residential neighborhood on Peach Court, just east of Columbus, in Petersville. The car drove through yards and circled around residences before driving back toward the pursuing officers. Evidence indicates that the driver allegedly drove toward an Indiana State Police trooper who was standing outside of his car. The trooper fired at least one round from his department-issued handgun. Neither Morrow nor the trooper were injured during the incident.
The suspect continued driving for about one more mile before exiting the vehicle. Officers soon located him and placed him into custody without further incident. Morrow was arrested on several felony and misdemeanor charges related to the incident.
He was initially transported to Columbus Regional Health. Eventually, he will be taken to Bartholomew County Jail and remanded to the custody of the jail staff, pending the filing of formal charges.
The identity of the involved trooper is not being released at this time. He will be placed on administrative leave, per normal protocol, while the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Detectives from the Indiana State Police-Sellersburg Post are leading the investigation.
