On October 7, 2021, at approximately 7:15 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of theft that had occurred at Menards in Princeton, Indiana. The reporting party was able to give a description of the vehicle and the occupants. Deputy U.B. Smith was on US 41 near Princeton and observed a vehicle matching the description given by the caller. Upon trying to stop the vehicle a pursuit ensued down US 41 from Fort Branch. Stop sticks were set up at US 41 and County Road 1025 South near Haubstadt and upon approaching the stop sticks the vehicle struck the patrol vehicle beside the stop sticks. At that point one of the occupants ran from the accident. Deputy U.B. Smith gave chase of the suspect and after a brief chase a perimeter was set up and a search was conducted. After a lengthy search was conducted with the assistance of a K9 unit from the Evansville area the suspect was not located.
On October 8, 2021, South Gibson School Corporation, in an abundance of caution made the hard decision to close the schools in the area not knowing if the fleeing individual was still in the area. As a result, multiple concerned citizens called Gibson County Central Dispatch at around 7:20 a.m. to report a suspicious male walking on Interstate 69 near Interstate 64. At that point officers from Gibson and Vanderburgh County as well as the state police were dispatched to the area. Sergeant Mattingly with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office located the male at the 19-mile marker and began an investigation. Shortly after Deputy Mattingly arrived Deputy U.B. Smith arrived and continued his investigation. After a brief roadside investigation 33-year-old Logan Robert Brandewie of Evansville was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Mr. Brandewie is being held at the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office on charges of Possession of Methamphetamines, Possession of a Schedule Substance, Fleeing Law Enforcement in a Vehicle, Fleeing Law Enforcement on Foot, Criminal Recklessness with a Vehicle, Criminal Mischief, Driving While Suspended Prior, and False Informing. Mr. Brandewie also is being held on a Felony warrant out of Vanderburgh County. This is an ongoing investigation, and more charges are anticipated.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
