The driver of the vehicle was later identified to be Tyrone Burns, 22, Harvey, IL. Burns accelerated and fled southbound on I-65. Trooper Brown pursued the vehicle southbound to the 146 mm, where a Thorntown police officer deployed a tire deflation device. Burns drove into the median, and then Burns made a U-turn onto northbound I-65 to avoid the tire deflation device.
Trooper Brown continued to pursue the vehicle northbound on I-65. Troopers from the Lafayette Post deployed a tire deflation device at the 153 mm northbound. The Santa Fe struck the device causing the front left tire to deflate. Burns began to slow down and travel on the right shoulder. The Santa Fe came to a stop at the 157 mm northbound. When the vehicle came to a stop, one passenger fled from the vehicle on foot and was quickly taken into custody. Burns and the second passenger were taken into custody at the vehicle.
Further investigation by Trooper Brown revealed that Burns was wanted on active arrest warrants from Cook County, IL, and the Santa Fe was reported stolen out of Crestwood, IL. Troopers conducted a search of the Santa Fe and located marijuana, an unknown white substance, and $780.00 in counterfeit US currency. All suspects were incarcerated into Clinton County Jail.
Burns is being held on preliminary charges of:
- Possession of Stolen Property – Level 6 Felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle – Level 6 Felony
- Maintaining a Common Nuisance – Level 6 Felony
- Possession of Cocaine or Narcotic Drug – Level 6 Felony
- Aggressive Driving – Class A Misdemeanor
- Possession of Marijuana – Class B Misdemeanor
- Reckless Driving - Class C Misdemeanor
Tyrese Hill, 18, Chicago, IL was one of the passengers and is being held on preliminary charges of:
- Possession of Cocaine or Narcotic Drug - Level 6 Felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement - Class A Misdemeanor
- Visiting a Common Nuisance - Class B Misdemeanor
- Possession of Marijuana – Class B Misdemeanor
Heaven Johnson, 19, Indianapolis, IN was one of the passengers and is being held on preliminary charges of:
- Visiting a Common Nuisance - Class B Misdemeanor
- Possession of Marijuana – Class B Misdemeanor
Trooper Brown was assisted on scene by Trooper Devin Farmer, Trooper Matthew Clemans, Sgt. Brad Mull, Sgt. Sean Schaefer, Thorntown Police Department, Clinton County EMS, and Zores Towing.
*All criminal suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
