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Last updated on Wednesday, June 6, 2018
(BROWNSTOWN) - A Freetown man was arrested after running from police and jumping from a bridge into the East Fork of White River near Vallonia.
Police arrested 27-year-old Josef Rogers six hours and two miles away from where he jumped from the bridge.
Brownstown Police Chief Tom Hanner attempted to stop Rogers at 3:45 p.m. Monday at the intersection of U.S. 50 and County Road 400W in Brownstown. Chief Hanner recognized Rogers and knew he had a suspended driver's license and was wanted on multiple warrants including battery resulting in bodily injury and contempt of court.
Rogers refused to stop his 2000 Volkswagen Jetta beginning a vehicle pursuit that reached speeds of more than 85 miles per hour. The pursuit continued until Rogers stopped on the bridge on County Road 375W and jumped 40 feet into the river. His passenger was not detained and was allowed to leave the scene.
Officers from Brownstown, Jackson County Sheriff's Department and Indiana State Police, tracked Rogers in the water until they lost sight of him in the swift moving water near a log jam.
Department of Natural Resources officers and Sheriff deputies both launched boats to search for Rogers who they feared had drowned.
Just before 10 p.m., police received a 911 call reporting a suspicious male that matched Rogers description in a nearby field, two miles from the bridge.
Police found Rogers at Base Road and County Road 500W. When Rogers spotted police he again tried to flee, but was apprehended after a short foot pursuit.
He is being held in the Jackson County Jail without bond.
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