BROWNSTOWN — An Austin man was arrested Sunday on drug and resisting arrest charges after a vehicle pursuit began in Crothersville and ended at the entrance of the Jackson County Fairgrounds.
Police arrested 53-year-old Richard Smith on felony charges of dealing meth, possession of meth and marijuana, and resisting arrest by fleeing in a vehicle.
Police found more than 26 grams of meth and a THC vape pen.
The incident that led to his arrest started at around 7:10 p.m. when Crothersville Police Officers Derrick Minton and Jacob Sharp attempted to stop the vehicle at the Marathon Station after learning Smith was driving, had a suspended driver’s license, and was wanted on a warrant in Clark County.
Police say Smith failed to stop and pulled onto US 31 traveling north. He continued north, turning onto State Road 250 and heading toward Dudleytown. He failed the stop sign at State Road 250 and County Road 700 East.
Jackson County Officer Mark Reynolds attempted to deploy stop sticks at the stop sign, but Smith was able to avoid them.
Smith continued traveling west on State Road 250 toward Brownstown at speeds more than 105 miles per hour.
Near County Road 350 East, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Adam Nicholson successfully deployed stop sticks that made contact with the vehicle, dropping Smith’s speed to 30 mph, police said.
The vehicle continued traveling west, losing three tires on State Roada 250 and 39. The car stopped at State Road 250 and County Road 100 South near the entrance to the Jackson County Fairgrounds.
Smith was detained and transported to the Jackson County Jail.
then taken to the nearby jail.
Jackson County Sheriff’s Department deputies, Indiana State Police troopers, and the Brownstown Police Department officers assisted in the pursuit.
‘
Smith’s vehicle continued west and before it lost three tires at State Road 250 and State Road 39. The vehicle came to a stop at State Road 250 and County Road 100S near the entrance to the Jackson County Fairgrounds. Smith was then taken to the nearby jail.
Assisting agencies include the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police and the Brownstown Police Department.
