Edward B. Jones, Jr. Hamilton County Sheriff's Office

(West Harrison, Ind.) - Indiana Conservation Officers, sheriff’s deputies and police from two states, and helicopters were involved in a manhunt in Dearborn County Sunday.

Conservation officers responded to a report of illegal hunting on private property off of Jamison Road near Bright Sunday morning. The illegal hunter had allegedly threatened another hunter on an earlier occasion which led them to the investigation.

The officers tried to confront suspect Edward B. Jones, Jr., 42, of West Harrison. That’s when Jones allegedly took a knee and aimed his scoped rifle at the two officers. As the officers took cover and prepared to return fire, Jones fled on foot. The officers pursued him into the woods.

A large search with the help of several area law enforcement agencies began. It ended Sunday afternoon with Jones’ arrest in Ohio near the state line.

Jones is being held in the Hamilton County jail on a charge of Inducing Panic. He is awaiting extradition to Dearborn County, where he will face other charges.

Indiana Conservation Office District 9 Assistant Commander Corporal Chris Powell stated that this illustrates the risk that Indiana Conservation Officers take every day while protecting the natural resources of Indiana. 

“During this time of year nearly every person we contact is armed.” Powell said. “While the vast majority of hunters we encounter are law abiding, we must be ready for the few that mean us and the public harm.”