BEDFORD – A 19-year-old Bedford man was arrested August 26 after police said he failed to stop for an officer, drove recklessly through city streets, and was found to have a suspended driver’s license.
Riley B. Girdley, 19, of Bedford, was arrested on allegations of resisting law enforcement in a motor vehicle, reckless driving, and driving while suspended with a prior conviction, according to a probable cause affidavit filed by Bedford Police Sgt. Toby Gerkin.
According to the affidavit, Gerkin was on patrol traveling south on Mitchell Road near 25th Street on August 26 when he observed a gray Jeep SUV traveling east from 25th Street across Mitchell Road onto 24th Street.
Police allege the Jeep failed to yield to oncoming traffic and cut between two northbound vehicles. The second vehicle reportedly had to slam on its brakes and partially leave the roadway to avoid a collision.
Gerkin immediately activated his emergency lights and began following the Jeep onto 24th Street. The affidavit states the Jeep continued at a high rate of speed up the hill.
Gerkin notified other officers by radio that he had a vehicle fleeing from him and provided its description and location.
The Jeep then reportedly turned south onto M Street without stopping at a posted stop sign. Gerkin initially lost sight of the vehicle but later observed it traveling east through the alley between M and L streets before pulling into a driveway in the 2000 block of L Street.
Gerkin pulled in behind the vehicle and approached the driver, later identified as Girdley. Girdley was ordered out of the vehicle and detained in handcuffs.
A records check through NCIC, IDACS, and the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles reportedly showed Girdley’s driving status as suspended with a prior conviction.
Another officer arrived shortly afterward, and Girdley was escorted to the officer’s vehicle.
Gerkin noted in the affidavit that he realized he had not initially activated his body-worn camera and turned it on at that point. He then read Girdley his Miranda warning, which Girdley said he understood.
When asked why he did not stop after seeing the officer’s emergency lights, Girdley reportedly said he did not see the lights until he saw the officer in the alley.
Girdley told police he had been traveling to his father’s house. However, Gerkin noted that the route Girdley took, including the alley, was not a direct route to that location.
Girdley also confirmed he did not know the people who lived at the residence where he stopped. Gerkin later spoke with two people at the residence, who confirmed they did not know Girdley.
Girdley was transported to the Lawrence County Jail, where he was remanded into custody.
The Jeep was inventoried and later towed by Stone City Collision with no holds.
According to the affidavit, Girdley was already on probation or parole as a result of a prior misdemeanor conviction and was also out on bond on other pending criminal charges.
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.
