A Bourbon man is being in the Marshall County Jail for attempted murder of an Indiana State Police Trooper and resisting law enforcement.
On Sunday, September 15th just before noon, a Bremen Police Officer was dispatched to a reckless driver on State Road 331 after Lutheran EMS called in a reckless driver. EMS described the vehicle as a blue Chevy Avalanche with front-end damage.
Sargeant Schnaible located the vehicle between 4th and 5th Roads on SR 331 heading north at 99 mph. The Bremen officer activated his lights and siren in an attempt to stop the vehicle and a pursuit ensued. Officer Miles set up stop sticks at U.S. 6 and Dogwood, but the suspect missed the stop sticks and turned west on U.S. 6 traveling at 100 mph.
Indiana State Police Trooper Pat Okeefe was listening to the radio at U.S. 6 and Elm with his wife and children in the squad. He attempted to throw the stop sticks when the suspect drove directly toward the trooper to murder him with his vehicle. The suspect lost control and crashed into the ditch at Elm and U.S. 6.
The driver, 52-year-old Clint Beldon of North Main Street in Bourbon was not injured and was taken into custody by Officer Schnaible and Trooper Okeefe at gunpoint. After being read his Miranda rights he refused to talk with police. Beldon was transported to the Bremen Hospital for jail clearance and the doctor advised that Beldon may suffer from a psychiatric illness. He is currently being held on a $500,000 cash bond.
Sergeant Schnaible interviewed several witnesses including Trooper Okeefe and his wife along with a driver who was in the pursuit and the driver from Lutheran EMS. Police are seeking a warrant for the vehicle as well as Beldon’s blood for suspicion of OWI. The Indiana State Police also did a reconstruction of the scene.
Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is a mere allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.
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