BEDFORD — A reported high school graduation celebration dissolved into a multi-agency police response Friday night after heavily intoxicated young adults and a juvenile allegedly stole a gallon of vodka, caused traffic disruptions, and led officers on a foot chase directly behind the local jail.
Aidan Miller, 20, of Anderson, Indiana, was arrested by the Bedford Police Department on May 29, 2026. He faces misdemeanor charges of Public Intoxication and Illegal Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Bedford Police Sergeant Nicholas Crulo, the incident began when city officers were dispatched to the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department parking lot. County dispatchers warned that all available sheriff’s deputies were tied up with other calls and that two heavily intoxicated males were wandering directly behind the jail facility.
Upon arrival, Sergeant Crulo located 18-year-old Vincent Evans stumbling blindly through the parking lot. Evans was covered in cuts and abrasions, could barely stand, and tried to walk away from the officer. Because Evans was slurring his words and smelled heavily of alcohol, Sergeant Crulo placed him on the ground and detained him. A dispatch check revealed Evans also had an active arrest warrant.
While Evans was being secured, a bystander flagged down police to report that a second male had fled north toward 14th Street. The witness noted that the fleeing individual was stumbling into traffic, forcing vehicles to slam on their brakes to avoid hitting him.
Bedford officers searched the area but initially lost the trail. Shortly after, the Sheriff’s Department called again, stating the suspect was hiding near 1330 I Street and had broken into a run toward H Street.
Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department Captain Pope successfully intercepted and detained the suspect, identified as Aidan Miller. Sergeant Crulo noted that Miller was covered in dirt with torn clothing. He was nursing a variety of fresh cuts and scratches across his body. Miller was exhibiting bloodshot, glassy eyes and slurred, slowed speech.
Miller allegedly admitted to police that he was drunk, stating that he and Evans were celebrating a graduation. After failing a preliminary breath test (PBT) at the scene, Miller was transported to the Lawrence County Jail, where a secondary breath test registered a .235% BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) nearly three times the legal driving limit for an adult. Due to extreme intoxication, Miller had to be taken to the IU Health Emergency Room for medical clearance before booking.
The investigation quickly led police to a nearby apartment in the 1700 block of I Street, where dispatchers had received a 911 call from a crying female.
At the apartment, the male resident informed officers that Miller and Evans had been drinking at his home earlier while he was away. He realized a full one-gallon bottle of Dark Eyes Vodka was missing from his home, a bottle that perfectly matched the description of the liquor the two males were seen carrying behind the jail. The male emphasized that he never permitted the underage individuals to touch his alcohol.
Inside the apartment, police discovered a 16-year-old female, “blacked out” on the couch. Officer Manke noted the juvenile was completely unstable on her feet and smelled heavily of alcohol. An ambulance was called to the scene, and the juvenile’s mother requested that she be taken to the IU Health ER for emergency treatment. On-call juvenile probation officers instructed police to issue the 16-year-old a promise to appear in court on June 10, 2026.
The chaos continued at the hospital. While being evaluated by medical staff, Evans reportedly became highly aggressive and “squared up” to fight Officer Manke and ER nurses.
After being forced into a patrol car and taken to the Lawrence County Jail, Evans allegedly continued his tirade, swearing at jail staff and repeatedly punching the facility’s fingerprint and electronic scanner. Jailers ultimately placed him into a holding cell to prevent further property damage or injury.
Both Miller and Evans have been remanded to the custody of the Lawrence County Sheriff. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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.
