Jasper County, Indiana – A Wheatfield traffic stop escalated into a violent police encounter Tuesday evening, injuring a deputy and damaging multiple law enforcement vehicles.
According to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began at approximately 5:11 p.m. when officers with the Wheatfield Police Department and Jasper County deputies stopped a vehicle at the Family Express gas station at 51 E. State Road 10. The driver allegedly refused to identify himself or exit the vehicle, and officers observed behavior consistent with possible drug use.
As deputies attempted to prevent the suspect from fleeing, the driver allegedly rammed two fully marked law enforcement vehicles, striking one deputy’s squad car while the deputy was seated inside. The suspect then fled the scene, striking a civilian vehicle at the intersection of State Road 10 and State Road 49 before the vehicle became disabled near State Road 49 and South Street.
Deputies reported that the suspect exited the vehicle armed with a machete and allegedly refused repeated commands to comply. Due to what officials described as an immediate threat, officers deployed a Conducted Energy Weapon (Taser), which was effective in taking the suspect into custody without further injury.
The suspect was identified as 45-year-old Duncan Davis of Rensselaer, Indiana. He was evaluated and transported by Wheatfield EMS to Franciscan Health Rensselaer for medical clearance before being booked into the Jasper County Jail.
One deputy sustained injuries as a result of the vehicle ramming and was transported to a local hospital for treatment before later being released. Multiple law enforcement vehicles sustained significant damage.
The Indiana State Police are investigating the crashes. Authorities later confirmed the vehicle driven by Davis had been reported stolen through Porter County.
Davis is currently being held pending the filing of formal criminal charges. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The incident caused temporary traffic disruptions affecting evening commuters in the State Road 10 corridor.
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