An attempt to pull over a wanted Tell City man resulted in a lengthy vehicle pursuit and suspect in jail.
Arrested and Charged was Blake A. Hensley, 30, Tell City, IN
– Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Level 6 Felony
– Criminal Recklessness while Driving Aggressively (x2), Level 6 Felony
– Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor
– Reckless Driving, Class B Misdemeanor
– Operating While Intoxicated, Test Refusal, Class C Misdemeanor
– Warrant, Warrick County, IN, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer
Around 12:40 AM Saturday, Trooper Jeremy Galloway was patrolling 9th Street in Tell City when he watched a 2009 Pontiac G6 disregard a stop sign at 9th and Steuben Streets.
Galloway recognized the vehicle as that belonging to Hensley.
Galloway knew that Hensley had an active arrest warrant through Warrick County for battering a police officer.
Galloway caught up to the Pontiac and attempted to pull Hensley over; however, Hensley accelerated, fleeing from Galloway towards Troy.
Hensley led Galloway along State Road 66 to Troy, north to Saint Marks, and eventually east to Deer Creek Road near State Road 66.
Galloway had been told by assisting officers that they were in position on State Road 66 near Rocky Point in Perry County, should the pursuit lead back into that direction.
As Hensley was nearing SR66, he crashed into Galloway’s police car, causing front end damage to Galloway’s vehicle.
After crashing into Galloway, Hensley turned west onto SR66 and continued towards Rocky Point.
After passing Rocky Point and driving along State Road 166 into Tobinsport, Perry County Chief Deputy Eric Dickenson joined the pursuit as Hensley drove through campgrounds, a soybean field, and crashing into a shelter house.
After getting back onto SR166, Galloway had pulled in front of Hensley in an attempt to slow him down and stop him.
Hensley drove off the roadway, ran over a street sign, came back onto SR166 and crashed into the rear of Galloway’s police car.
Hensley drove off the road again, and again when back on SR166, crashed into the passenger side of Galloway’s police car.
Deputy Daymion Marsh successfully deployed tire deflation devices across State Road 166 near Millstone Road, causing Hensley’s tires to deflate. Hensley eventually drove off of the roadway and began running from officers into the woods.
Trooper Kurtis Blunk and Tell City Police officers chased after Hensley, catching him as he ran into the Ohio River. After not complying with officers and fighting them as they tried to place him into custody, Hensley was tased by Tell City Police. He was then handcuffed and walked back to the roadway.
Hensley was lodged in the Perry County Detention Center.
State Police was assisted by Chief Deputy Eric Dickenson and Deputy Daymion Marsh, and Tell City Police officers, Lieutenant Detective Roger Smith and Officers Heather Glenn, Ash Meserve, and Jeff Casebolt.
