BEDFORD — A Bedford man was arrested after police say he fled from officers during a traffic stop attempt on an electric dirt bike and later resisted arrest.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Bedford Police Officer Joshua Turner, Curtis Childers, 45, was arrested on preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement by fleeing in a motor vehicle and resisting law enforcement by force.
Turner reported he attempted to stop an electric dirt bike motorcycle at about 8:09 p.m. on July 7 after observing it traveling at a high rate of speed on J Street. The affidavit states the motorcycle also failed to signal a lane change or turn and was not displaying a license plate.
According to the affidavit, Turner activated his emergency lights near the intersection of J Street and 14th Street, but the rider continued traveling before turning onto other streets and eventually onto the Milwaukee Trail near the 1000 block of J Street.
Turner reported the rider continued despite emergency lights and sirens being activated before officers lost sight of the motorcycle.
The affidavit states officers later received information that the rider had entered a residence in the 1800 block of 14th Street. Officers observed an electric dirt bike matching the description of the one involved in the pursuit inside the residence, but were unable to make contact with anyone inside.
During the investigation, officers obtained still images from a nearby business that showed a man police identified as Childers riding an electric dirt bike matching the description of the vehicle involved in the pursuit, according to the affidavit.
While officers were preparing a search warrant, police reported that Childers came outside the residence. The affidavit states that an officer attempted to deploy a Taser, but it was unsuccessful, and Childers returned inside.
A search warrant was later approved, and officers entered the residence after announcing their presence and the warrant. According to the affidavit, Childers was found inside and initially refused commands to move toward officers.
The affidavit states officers had to physically remove Childers from the hallway after he resisted, and he continued pulling away from officers while being taken into custody. Police said Childers was eventually handcuffed after a brief struggle.
Childers was taken to IU Health Bedford for medical clearance before being transported to the Lawrence County Jail. The electric dirt bike was collected as evidence.
According to the affidavit, Childers later made statements indicating he regretted fleeing and knew he should have stopped.
Childers was booked into the Lawrence County Jail.
