DATE: Monday, July 20, 2015
SUBJECT: Road Rage Involving a Handgun Results in Arrest
RELEASE NUMBER: 2015-NR-049
CONTACT: Lt. Noah Robinson
AUTHORITY: Sheriff David Wedding
On Monday, July 20, 2015 at 3:49pm the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Pearl Drive in reference to a report of suspicious circumstance involving a person possibly armed with a gun.
Upon arrival sheriff’s deputies met with the 911 caller, Mr. Stephen John Poag, 60, of Mount Vernon, IN. Mr. Poag advised he had been involved in a confrontation with another motorist. Mr. Poag explained that he had been “cut off” by the other motorist on the Lloyd Expressway and then followed the other motorist to a parking lot off of Pearl Drive. Mr. Poag admitted to challenging the other motorist to get out of his vehicle in order to discuss the matter. Mr. Poag claimed the other motorist pointed something metallic at him, which he believed to be a handgun. Mr. Poag then left the area and called 911, providing a description of the motorist and his vehicle.
A description of the motorist was broadcast to all Sheriff’s Office and Evansville Police Department units. A police officer then located a vehicle matching the description provided by Mr. Poag. The driver, Mr. James Nathan Ipock, was stopped on Riverside Drive near Sycamore St. A Ruger .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun was found inside the vehicle.
Mr. Ipock denied pointing the weapon at Mr. Poag, but did admit to holding the handgun up when Mr. Poag confronted him in the parking lot. Mr. Ipock explained that Mr. Poag had followed him into the parking lot and challenged him to get out of his vehicle. Mr. Ipock indicated that Mr. Poag was the aggressor and had in fact attempted to block his vehicle while in the parking lot.
Mr. Ipock was found to have an expired Kentucky concealed handgun permit and was subsequently arrested for Carrying a Handgun without a Permit as a Class A Misdemeanor.
The incident remains under investigation.
ARRESTED:
James Nathan Ipock (pictured above), 37, of Henderson, KY. Carrying a Handgun without a Permit as a Class A Misdemeanor.
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