Vigo County— On Saturday October 28th, at 12:05 a.m. Trooper Rondell Shelton attempted to stop a vehicle for disregarding a stop sign. Trooper Shelton advised radio that the vehicle ignored his emergency lights and siren. At one point during the pursuit the vehicle stopped, let out a passenger and the vehicle took off. The passenger of the vehicle put up his hands and did not resist. Trooper Shelton continued to pursue the vehicle until the driver of the vehicle missed a turn and struck a telephone pole.
The driver of the suspect vehicle was a male juvenile (14 years-old). The juvenile suspect was transported by ambulance to Union Hospital for a medical evaluation. The juvenile’s blood alcohol level tested .119. He was then cleared for release by hospital staff.
While at the hospital the mother and sister of the juvenile suspect showed up, along with several friends and family members. The mother and sister became verbally argumentative towards law enforcement and hospital staff. During this, the juvenile suspect ran from the hospital but was quickly apprehended by Trooper Fyfe who responded to the scene. At one point, the mother attempted to prevent her son from being taken to the juvenile center. The mother struck Trooper Shelton’s patrol vehicle with her purse and became physically aggressive. The mother was then taken into custody. The sister of the juvenile, who is also underage, (17 years-old) attempted to get in Trooper Shelton’s patrol car and prevent him from taking her brother to the juvenile center. The sister was then placed under arrest. Several law enforcement officers along with hospital security helped control the situation.
Pending prosecutors review charges are as follows:
Arrested: Barbara Bendekovich, age 49, of Terre Haute, IN.
Taken to Vigo County Jail
Charges: Resisting Law Enforcement (misdemeanor); Criminal Mischief (misdemeanor); Disorderly conduct (misdemeanor); Interfering with custody (misdemeanor)
Arrested: Male Juvenile
Taken to Vigo County Juvenile Center
Charges: Battery on law enforcement (felony); Resisting arrest with a vehicle (felony); Resisting arrest (misdemeanor);, Minor consuming (misdemeanor); OWI (misdemeanor); Reckless driving (misdemeanor); Disorderly conduct (misdemeanor)
Arrested: Female Juvenile
Taken to Vigo County Juvenile Center
Charges: Resisting arrest (misdemeanor); Minor consuming (misdemeanor); Disorderly conduct (misdemeanor); Public intoxication (misdemeanor)
Assisting were ISP Troopers Brad Fyfe, and Courtland Woodruff. Also assisting were Several Terre Haute City Police officers along with Hospital staff.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
