Ferdinand Man Arrested After Disturbance Call, Chase Injuring an Officer

Local Sources - A Ferdinand man was arrested after a disturbance call led to a pursuit which left an officer injured.

On Friday, November 5th, at approximately 11:56 PM, Dubois County Deputies were dispatched to an address in Dubois due to a disturbance between an estranged married couple. Before Deputies arrived at the residence, the original caller stated that Aaron Messmer, 44, of Ferdinand had left the residence.

Sgt. Fleming with the Dubois County Sheriff's Department observed a vehicle matching Messmer's description, a red Buick passenger car, pass him on SR 164. Sgt. Fleming turned around and attempted to catch the vehicle. A short time later, Sgt. Fleming observed the vehicle traveling in reverse, heading east on SR 164 in the Westbound lane. Sgt. Fleming conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. A short time later, Sgt. Bower and Officer Goffinet with the Jasper City police department and Trooper Bowling with the Indiana State Police arrived on the scene. Officers asked Messmer to exit his vehicle because his driver's license were suspended. Messmer was verbally uncompliant and refused to get out of his vehicle. Officers were attempting to get Messmer out of the vehicle when he took off at a high rate of speed, causing an officer to fall and suffer a broken bone in his hand and a laceration to his eye. Officers then attempted to catch up to Messmer but lost sight of him.

A short time later, Dubois County dispatch received a call that a male was at an address on CR 375 S and was leaving, heading towards Patoka Road. Deputy Hemmer and Trooper Jones were at the intersection of 425 S and Patoka Road when Messmer approached the intersection. Deputy Hemmer deployed stop sticks successfully hitting Messmer's vehicle's back driver's side tire. Trooper Villanueva and Trooper Jones began pursuing the vehicle south of Patoka Road when Messmer finally stopped at Patoka Road and SR 64. Messmer was given verbal commands to exit his vehicle, but he refused. Officers then took Messmer into custody. An officer was treated at Jasper Memorial for a broken bone in his hand as well as a laceration to his face.

Messmer was medically cleared at Jasper Memorial before being transported to Dubois County Jail.

Aaron Messmer was transported to the Dubois County Jail, where he is being held without bond.