Courtesy-NVPD FB page
NORTH VERNON, Ind. – The North Vernon Police Department (NVPD) conducted a traffic stop on a car for speeding in the 800 block of S. State St., on Thursday, at 8:15 p.m. While speaking with the driver, Andy L. Edgar, 54, of North Vernon, Officer Nathan Vogel said he detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage inside the vehicle and asked the man to step out.
When asked to submit to standardized field sobriety tests Edgar refused but did agree to a portable breath test that indicated that his sample was 0.08.
After the suspect was read his Miranda Rights, he supposedly admitted to drinking multiple beers before driving. He was offered the opportunity to submit to a chemical test but Edgar reportedly stated that he was “not going back to jail.” Edgar then allegedly removed a pistol from his pocket as he ran from NVPD.
He was quickly caught, detained, and searched. Officer Vogel hurt his hand while the suspect was resisting and being taken into custody.
Jennings County Sheriff Deputies arrived and transported Edgar to Ascension St. Vincent Jennings for jail clearance. A search warrant for Edgar’s blood was obtained as a result of the DUI investigation.
The hospital medical staff treated Edgar and Officer Vogel for their respective injuries.
The suspect was arrested and taken to Jennings County Jail, He was preliminarily charged with:
- Criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon (Level 6 Felony)
- Resisting Law Enforcement (Level 5 Felony)
- Intimidation with a deadly weapon (Level 5 Felony)
- Operating a vehicle while intoxicated and endangering a person (Class A Misdemeanor)
- Operating a vehicle while intoxicated (Class C Misdemeanor)\
This investigation is ongoing. All persons are innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
