BEDFORD – A 33-year-old Bedford man is facing multiple charges after allegedly walking shirtless and barefoot into traffic on a major highway and later scuffling with officers at the Lawrence County Jail.
Tanner Box, 33, was arrested on the evening of March 21, 2026, following several 911 calls reporting a pedestrian creating a safety hazard near the intersection of US Highway 50 East and Shawswick School Road.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputy Augustus Hogan, dispatch received multiple reports of a shirtless, bearded man walking in the roadway and obstructing traffic. An off-duty officer from IU Bedford Hospital happened upon the scene and stayed with the man until on-duty deputies arrived.
When Deputy Hogan reached the scene at approximately 5:45 p.m. he found Box sitting on the side of the road in the westbound lane. When asked what he was doing, Box reportedly asked for a ride but refused to cooperate with the deputy’s evaluation of his mental and physical state.
The situation escalated when Box allegedly ignored repeated commands to stop near a patrol vehicle and began walking away. When Deputy Hogan attempted to secure Box’s arm, Box reportedly “tensed up” and began physically resisting.
The struggle grew intense enough that a passing off-duty Bloomington Police officer stopped his vehicle to assist Deputy Hogan. Together, the two officers were able to wrestle Box to the ground and place him in handcuffs.
Once in custody, Box reportedly refused to provide his name or date of birth. He later provided a false name “Tanner Fox” to hospital staff during a medical clearance exam at IU Bedford Hospital.
The non-compliance continued during the booking process at the Lawrence County Jail. Deputy Hogan noted that Box failed to follow jail procedures, leading staff to deploy a Taser to gain control. He was eventually placed in a W.R.A.P. restraint system to ensure the safety of the staff and himself.
Investigation by jail staff eventually confirmed his true identity as Tanner Box.
Box was booked into the Lawrence County Jail on the following preliminary charges of interfering with public safety officials, obstruction of traffic and refusal to identify.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the probable cause affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
