An Evansville man was taken into custody Monday evening following a vehicle pursuit that occurred in the area of Fares Avenue, Diamond Avenue, and surrounding streets.
At approximately 7:05 p.m. Monday, a Sergeant with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office observed a blue Dodge Caravan near Fares Avenue and Diamond Avenue.
Earlier in the evening, Evansville Police had attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the Dodge Caravan near the intersection of Fares Avenue/Maxwell Avenue. However, the suspect fled the scene.
Deputies attempted to catch up to the vehicle after it turned west onto Diamond Avenue. The driver, later identified as Niko Christian-Bennett Moody, 34, of Evansville accelerated and continued driving through the neighborhood.
When Deputies activated emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop, Moody failed to stop and continued fleeing.
During the pursuit, Moody drove at speeds of 50–60 miles per hour in a posted 30 mph zone, failed to stop at multiple stop signs, and drove recklessly through residential streets including Joan Avenue, Kentucky Avenue, and Heidelbach Avenue.
The pursuit ended when the vehicle stopped near the intersection of Kentucky Avenue/Joan Avenue.
Moody opened the driver’s door and was observed reaching inside the vehicle despite repeated commands by Deputies to exit. Deputies deployed a Taser, after which Moody exited the vehicle and was taken into custody without further incident.
Moody was found to be driving with a suspended license and stated he fled because he was on probation for prior driving offenses.
He was charged with the following:
Resisting Law Enforcement as a Level 6 Felony, Resisting Law Enforcement as a Class A Misdemeanor, Reckless Driving as a Class A Misdemeanor, Driving With a Suspended License-Prior Conviction as a Class A Misdemeanor
Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.