Bartholomew County man apprehended following car chase

COLUMBUS, Ind. - A local man is in custody for felony charges following a 30-minute-long vehicle pursuit. The Columbus Police Department (CPD) was called to the 800 block of Reed Street for a disturbance at around 9:40 a.m. on Monday, August 3.

The caller reported that a man was yelling at people. When CPD arrived, they found a van in the road, and the driver was still yelling.   

The suspect became agitated with the responding officer and accused him of not being a real cop. The man reportedly said he didn’t have a license. When the officer asked for his identification, he sped away in the van.

Law enforcement chased the van through various parts of Columbus. The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, Edinburgh Police Department, and Indiana State Police assisted. The man was driving erratically, going the wrong way down one-way streets, and stopped multiple times to yell out the window.   

Tire deflation devices were used that flattened the front passenger-side tire, but the driver continued, eventually losing the wheel entirely. He continued to flee, striking a parked car on 3rd Street. Officers eventually immobilized the vehicle near 10th Street and Creekview Drive.

The suspect failed to comply when ordered out of the van. He had to be forcibly removed and restrained.   

The man was identified as Dustan Pedigo, 45, of Columbus. He was taken to the hospital for evaluation, where methamphetamine was allegedly found in his sock.   

Pedigo was remanded to the Bartholomew County Jail on the preliminary charges of:     

• Resisting law enforcement with a vehicle (level 6 felony)
• Possession of methamphetamine (level 6 felony)
• Resisting law enforcement (class A misdemeanor)
• Criminal recklessness with a vehicle (class A misdemeanor)
• Leaving the scene of an accident (class B misdemeanor)
• Disorderly conduct (class B misdemeanor)
• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated (class C misdemeanor)

Pedigo sustained minor injuries, but no one else was hurt. All charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.