Vehicle Pursuit Leads to Arrest

The incident took place on Wednesday, May 21.

David Hankins. Photo provided.

(Osgood, Ind.) - On Wednesday, May 21, Deputy Dustin Bowling responded to 344 N Buckeye Street in Osgood for a suspicious person.

While in the Osgood area, Deputy Bowling observed a black passenger vehicle heading westbound on Railroad Road at a high rate of speed. Deputy Bowling caught up to the vehicle and paced him at approximately a speed of 70 mph in a 45-mph zone. Deputy Bowling activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop. The driver, later identified as David Hankins, age 29, from Butlerville, initiated a vehicle pursuit. Hankins then sped up to approximately 85 mph. Ripley County Communications (RCC) advised Deputy Bowling that Hankins had two active felony warrants through Ripley County.

Deputy Bowling, Deputy Grayson Miller, and Deputy Shayna Cox pursued Hankins through the backroads of Western Ripley County before entering Jennings County. Deputies with the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office and the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office pursued Hankins through the Eastern part of Jennings.

Hankins lost control of his vehicle in Jennings County and then fled on foot. Hankins was located shortly after hiding in a creek. Hankins was placed in custody and transported to Ripley County Jail, where he was remanded into custody.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

Hankins was booked in on preliminary charges of:

• Warrant of: Residential Entry, Level 6 Felony
• Warrant of: Impersonation of a Public Servant, Level 6 Felony
• Resisting Law Enforcement with a Motor Vehicle, Level 6 Felony
• Invasion of Privacy, Class A Misdemeanor
• Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
• Reckless Driving, Class C Misdemeanor
• Operating While Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor