Posey County – Friday night, April 8, at approximately 11:22 p.m., Trooper Fulton was patrolling on 4th Street near Barbee Street in Mt. Vernon when he spotted a tan 2003 Ford Explorer that had been reported stolen. Trooper Fulton activated his emergency lights and attempted to stop the vehicle as the driver was pulling into Casey’s gas station. The driver continued traveling across the parking lot then circled back around and accelerated westbound on 4th Street at a high rate of speed. The driver of the Ford Explorer turned south onto Sawmill Street and disregarded three stop signs before turning east onto Sycamore Street then south onto Elm Street which came to a dead end. The driver exited the vehicle and ran south down a rocky embankment into the flooded river bottoms. Trooper Fulton chased the driver approximately 150 yards before losing sight of him as he ran down into a large creek. As Trooper Fulton was approaching the creek, he observed the driver lying on the north side of the creek bed and was taken into custody without further incident. The driver was identified as Chadrick Royal, 50, of Evansville. Royal displayed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests but refused to submit to a chemical test. Royal was taken to the Posey County Jail where he is currently being held on bond.
Arrested and Charges:
Chadrick Royal, 50, Evansville, IN
Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Level 6 Felony
Auto Theft, Level 6 Felony
Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated - Refusal, Class A Misdemeanor
Reckless Driving, Class B Misdemeanor
Felony Warrants out of Knox and Daviess County
Arresting Officer: Trooper Zack Fulton, Indiana State Police
Assisting Officers: Trooper Vennekotter and Trooper Otolski, Indiana State Police
Assisting Agency: Mt. Vernon Police
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
