INDIANAPOLIS MAN ARRESTED FOLLOWING MORGAN COUNTY PURSUIT

An Indianapolis man was arrested Wednesday afternoon, December 3rd,  following a pursuit in Morgan County that ended in Mooresville.

Master Trooper Douglas Perry had initiated a traffic stop for a violation on a 2003 white Ford F350 wrecker on SR67 between Martinsville and Mooresville. Master Trooper Perry had determined that the driver, later identified as Christopher M. Whitis, age 38, of Indianapolis, was unlicensed. As he returned to his patrol vehicle, Whitis fled from the traffic stop location. The wrecker traveled northbound on SR67 with speeds exceeding 90 miles per hour. During the pursuit, Whitis attempted to slow down and strike Master Trooper Perry’s patrol vehicle.

As the pursuit continued northbound on SR67, the Mooresville Police Department attempted to de-escalate with the deployment of stopsticks. Whitis' vehicle struck the deployed stop sticks at two locations but continued northbound despite tire disintegration. The wrecker passed the Bridge Street and SR67 intersection and left the right side of the roadway nearly striking the Blueberry Hill Pancake House building. Whitis refused to stop and attempted to return to SR67, but ultimately stopped in the grass in front of The USP Store.

Before his arrest, Whitis complained he was suffering from a medical incident. The Brown Township EMS responded to the scene and examined him. Whitis was arrested and transported to the Morgan County Jail where his custody was transferred. He is facing multiple charges including, but not limited to the following:

  • Resisting Law Enforcement, a Level 6 Felony
  • False Identity Statement, a Class A Misdemeanor
  • Operating a Vehicle While Never Received a License, a Class C Misdemeanor

Additional charges may follow. Law Enforcement agencies assisting in the de-escalation of the pursuit and Whitis' apprehension included the Mooresville Police Department and the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department.

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.