Traffic Stop Leads To Pursuit & Drug Arrests In Tippecanoe County

A traffic stop leading to a pursuit down I-65 Friday evening saw the arrest of three occupants for drug-related charges.

On Jan. 31, just after 10:30 p.m., ISP Trooper Bradley Howell was reportedly patrolling northbound on Interstate 65 near the 178-mile marker when he stopped a 2015 Ram 1500 for a traffic violation. Howell reported that when speaking the driver, who was later identified as Darryl Caldwell, he observed signs that criminal activity may be present. During their interaction, Caldwell reportedly fled from the traffic stop in his vehicle suddenly.

Howell reportedly pursued Caldwell northbound on I-65 from the 179-mile marker to State Road 18, where Caldwell reportedly traveled westbound to U.S. 231 then northbound before re-entering I-65. The pursuit reportedly continued southbound back to the 178-mile marker, where other law enforcement officers successfully deployed tire deflation devices, which the Ram struck. Troopers report that the pursuit ended near the 174.5-mile marker when the vehicle veered off the right shoulder, struck a guardrail, sideswiped another vehicle and came to a stop in a ditch. Officers on scene safely took all three occupants into custody. No one was reportedly injured during the crash.

During the pursuit, occupants of the vehicle reportedly attempted to discard what was believed to be narcotics. Troopers later recovered these discarded substances, along with additional narcotics inside the Ram, and in total, law enforcement officers located approximately 30 grams of methamphetamine, 18 grams of fentanyl, over 50 pills, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and U.S. currency, authorities report.

As the investigation continued, Trooper Howell reportedly observed signs of impairment and gathered information leading him to believe that Caldwell was under the influence of a controlled substance. All occupants were transported to the Tippecanoe County Jail.

The weight and identification of the narcotics are preliminary and will be confirmed by the Indiana State Police Laboratory.

Arrests and Preliminary Charges:

  • Darryl Caldwell, 26, from Indianapolis, Driver:
    • Dealing Methamphetamine – Level 2 Felony
    • Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 3 Felony
    • Dealing a Narcotic Drug – Level 5 Felony
    • Criminal Confinement – Level 6 Felony
    • Maintaining a Common Nuisance – Level 6 Felony
    • Possession of a Narcotic Drug – Level 6 Felony
    • Possession of a Legend Drug – Level 6 Felony
    • Dealing a Legend Drug – Level 6 Felony
    • Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle – Level 6 Felony
    • Obstruction of Justice – Level 6 Felony
    • Aggressive Driving – Class A Misdemeanor
    • Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Endangerment – Class A Misdemeanor
    • Possession of Marijuana – Class B Misdemeanor
    • Reckless Driving – Class B Misdemeanor
    • Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Class C Misdemeanor
  • Jordan Lavi Warren, 18, from Indianapolis, passenger:
    • Dealing a Narcotic Drug – Level 5 Felony
    • Dealing Methamphetamine – Level 5 Felony
    • Possession of a Narcotic Drug – Level 6 Felony
    • Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 6 Felony
    • Possession of a Legend Drug – Level 6 Felony
    • Dealing a Legend Drug – Level 6 Felony
    • Obstruction of Justice – Level 6 Felony
    • Visiting a Common Nuisance – Class B MisdemeanorPossession of Marijuana – Class B Misdemeanor
  • Jason Reynolds, 45, from Indianapolis, passenger:
    • Dealing a Narcotic Drug – Level 5 Felony
    • Dealing Methamphetamine – Level 5 Felony
    • Trafficking with an Inmate – Level 5 Felony
    • Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 6 Felony
    • Possession of a Legend Drug – Level 6 Felony
    • Dealing a Legend Drug – Level 6 Felony
    • Obstruction of Justice – Level 6 Felony
    • False Identity Statement – Class A Misdemeanor
    • Visiting a Common Nuisance – Class B Misdemeanor
    • Possession of Marijuana – Class B Misdemeanor

SHARE US