NEW PALESTINE — A suspect who took off during a traffic stop led a New Palestine police officer on a chase by car and then on foot before he was finally subdued with the help of two Taser darts.
Silvestre Espinoza-Macedo, 22, 500 block of Mallory Parkway, Franklin, faces six charges, including a felony charge of resisting law enforcement because the suspect fled in a vehicle.
The incident unfolded at about 3 a.m. Saturday, when Officer Shawn Brady of the New Palestine Police Department attempted to pull over a 2006 Honda in the 3700 block of West U.S. 52 for an unsafe lane movement, according to an affidavit.
The vehicle, later determined to be driven by Espinoza-Macedo, at first pulled into a driveway at County Road 300W and U.S. 52. Within a few seconds, the vehicle took off and fled west on U.S. 52.
The vehicle continued west on U.S. 52 into New Palestine, where it crashed into a street sign near New Palestine High School.
Once the car stopped, the driver took off on foot. That’s when Brady went to his Taser in an attempt to stop the suspect from fleeing. Brady had to discharge his Taser twice to finally subdue the suspect. Espinoza-Macedo was later evaluated by Sugar Creek Township Fire Department paramedics and released into police custody.
Two other people who were passengers in the car also fled from the scene. They were later located by Hancock County Sheriff’s Deputy Richard Vanosdol. The two were later released with no charges, the affidavit said.
In addition to being charged with two counts of resisting law enforcement, Espinoza-Macedo faces a charge of reckless driving, a Class C misdemeanor; operating a vehicle without receiving a driver’s license, a Class C misdemeanor; operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Class C misdemeanor; and operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering another, a Class A misdemeanor.
Espinoza-Macedo was booked into the Hancock County Jail, where he remains.
Hancock County sheriff’s deputies Sgt. Trent Smoll, Teddy York (K-9) and Matthew Kelly also assisted with the investigation, officials said.
Agents for Immigration and Customs Enforcement also are investigating.
