Officers in second extended high-speed pursuit in a week

It’s rare for the sheriff’s department to have high-speed pursuits but officers have had two extended such chases just this past week.

The most recent was late Friday night in the western part of the county and had the potential for a bad ending.

Jesse Bolen

“We got a call about 11 p.m. on County Road 47 in the Pinedale community for a domestic disturbance,” Sheriff Jimmy Edwards said.

When officers arrived the male half of the disturbance had decided to flee and deputies gave chase.
“He went into Lafayette County on back roads, to Lafayette Springs, back into Union County and back by the house where he started,” Edwards said.

Soon, the several deputies were joined by MHP Troopers and two New Albany police officers as the suspect cut back and forth over county roads.
“It lasted the better part of an hour,” the sheriff said of the pursuit. “Maybe a smidgen over.”

Edwards said it was a miracle no one was injured because some the roads were crooked and only gravel, and speeds did top 110 mph at times. Officers even attempted to use spike strips but had trouble because the suspect changed directions so often.

Finally, the suspect, Jesse Bolen, 38, ended up at the house where the incident started.

“He drove back behind the house and jumped out and ran,” the sheriff said. “There was a little foot chase,” but Bolen was quickly taken into custody.

Bolen is being charged with possession of methamphetamine, domestic violence, felony fleeing and probably DUI. He will go before a judge Monday.

Officers were afraid the chase would end in a shootout because they knew Bolen was armed. It was only after he was taken into custody that they learned he had eight guns, including an AR-15, in the vehicle, along with a machete and a crossbow.

As a side note, the weapons may all have been legal. Edwards said that although Bolen is a convicted felon he had managed to have the right to own firearms restored.

“Maybe they won’t do that again,” he said.

The unidentified female was not reported injured.