Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Monday, October 23, 2017
(BEDFORD) - Police officers from several departments participated in a pursuit this morning that landed 18-year-old Clint Ferguson in jail and caused damage to three police vehicles.
"This is still under investigation," says Sheriff Mike Branham. "The accident reports are being finished up now and the incident reports are being completed to be sent to the prosecutor's office."
Since Saturday police have been searching for Clint Ferguson.
"Over the weekend we have been chasing down leads from our social media post," Sheriff Branham added. "We received a tip this morning at 4:45 a.m. saying Mr. Ferguson was leaving a home on Sand Pit Road and was a passenger on Hyundai Sanoma and was headed toward US 50 West."
Both Bedford and Mitchell Police Departments were notified.
A Bedford officer spotted the vehicle parked at Speedway. An Orleans Police officer was also at the service station.
"They blocked the vehicle in," added Sheriff Branham. "The driver was not in the vehicle. Mr. Ferguson, who was in the front seat, jumped into the driver's seat and put the car in gear and rammed two of the police vehicles. Ferguson then crossed in front of the State Road 37/US 50 junction and caused a second crash, damaging another police vehicle.
The pursuit continued northbound on State Road 37, went across the bridge, onto Mitchell Road and then Sand Pit Road, were Ferguson crashed in the first curve.
Two passengers in the vehicle suffered minor injuries. Ferguson fled on foot, but was captured not far from the crash site.
Ferguson was arrested on two counts of resisting arrest by fleeing and resisting arrest. Other charges are pending.
The two passengers are currently not facing charges.
The First Pursuit
At approximately 3 a.m. Saturday, two individuals attempted to bypass the Bedford Crane Gate, crashing through the fence before being stopped by a barricade.
One of the suspects, Clint Ferguson, fled the vehicle on foot and may have been armed.
The other suspect, 18-year-old Jesse Curren, was arrested.
Jeff Nagan, Public Affairs Officer at Naval Support Activity Crane, says police did find a gun inside the vehicle.
According to the Lawrence County Sheriff Mike Branham the incident began with a traffic stop at State Road 37 near the Salt Creek bridge, at 2:38 a.m. after an officer attempted to stop the driver of a 2001 Chrysler because a headlight was out on the vehicle.
The pursuit continued on Bundy Lane then came out on State Road 158. The driver continued westbound on State Road 158 with speeds reaching between 50 to 70 miles per hour.
Mitchell and Bedford police officers assisted during the pursuit.
The vehicle then passed the New Union Church at 2:40 a.m.
At 2:46 a.m. the pursuit continued on State Road 158 and was approaching Craig Mill Road.
Martin County police reported Loogootee police and Indiana State Police were staging at the county line and Crane police were notified.
At 2:49 a.m. the vehicle crashed at the Crane Gate.
At 2:50 a.m. the driver 18-year-old Jesse Curren was detained by Federal officers from Crane Naval Base. Ferguson fled the area on foot into the woods and police believed he could be possibly armed with a gun.
Canine units were used to track Ferguson.
At 3:07 a.m. Martin County units were on the scene and checking the cemetery area.
Naval Support Activity Crane police are working closely with local and state police and were looking for the second suspect.
Currently the Bedford Gate is closed until further notice as officials assess and identify the repair and maintenance actions required to restore the Gate to full functionality. Updates will be forthcoming as to its status.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.