Wanted Felon Abandons His Child on the Roadside During Pursuit

An Evansville man being sought on a parole violation warrant is in custody and facing new charges after abandoning his 5-year-old son on the side of the road during a pursuit.

On Tuesday, May 01, 2018 at 1:50pm detectives with the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Joint Drug Task Force were in the area of Second Avenue and Maryland Street looking for parole violator Tevin Woodruff. Mr. Woodruff violated the terms of his 2017 parole after serving two years in state prison for Dealing Methamphetamine and Neglect of a Dependant.

An Evansville Police Department detective spotted Mr. Woodruff behind the wheel of a silver Ford Focus with New Hampshire license plates. When a Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit attempted to stop the vehicle, Mr. Woodruff fled across Columbia Street and turned onto Maryland Street. The vehicle came to an abrupt stop in the 900 block of W. Maryland Street and Mr. Woodruff exited the vehicle. The pursuing deputy began giving commands for Mr. Woodruff to surrender, but he instead grabbed his 5-year-old child out of the back of the car and pushed him onto the sidewalk. Mr. Woodruff then jumped back into the vehicle and sped off again. An Evansville Police Department detective remained with the child while the K-9 deputy continued the pursuit.

Mr. Woodruff continued to drive recklessly along city streets toward the downtown riverfront area. Mr. Woodruff ran stop signs, sped excessively and aggressively swerved around other vehicles. The pursuit continued on southbound US 41 toward Henderson when traffic began to slow. As the pursuing deputy drove closer Mr. Woodruff swerved and struck the sheriff’s office vehicle, forcing the cruiser onto the shoulder. Mr. Woodruff then sped off again, weaving between cars while crossing the twin bridges.

The pursuit continued into Henderson where the Henderson Police Department, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office and Kentucky State Police joined in. Near SR 351 stop sticks were successfully deployed by Kentucky police. The vehicle eventually crashed into an embankment near SR 425. Mr. Woodruff then fled into a wooded area where he was apprehended by the pursuing Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office K-9.

Mr. Woodruff was transported to the hospital and treated for a dog bite. The Henderson Police Department arrested Mr. Woodruff on charges of 1st and 2nd degree Fleeing or Evading Police, Operating without a License, as well as the outstanding parole violation warrant. Mr. Woodruff will be held at the Henderson County Detention Center while his Kentucky charges are addressed. He will later face extradition back to Indiana on felony charges of Child Neglect and Criminal Recklessness with a Motor Vehicle.

ARRESTED:

Tevin Latrell Woodruff (pictured above), 27, of Evansville.

Pictured above: Damaged Sheriff’s Office cruiser and wrecked suspect vehicle.

Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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