Beck-Courtesy of CPD
COLUMBUS, Ind. – The Columbus Police Department (CPD) has taken a local man into custody after he fled officers for the second time in less than a month.
Joshua Beck, 31 of Columbus, was arrested on August 23 and then formally charged with resisting law enforcement in a vehicle (level 6 felony), possession of methamphetamine (level 6 felony), and obstruction of justice (level 6 felony). Officers had stopped Beck for a traffic infraction, but he fled in his vehicle. He was taken into custody near County Road 450S and Old Lane Road. Beck was held in the Bartholomew County Jail until his bond was posted on September 2.
On Wednesday, September 10, CPD officers were called to the downtown area after a concerned citizen reported a possible domestic disturbance in a vehicle. The witness told dispatch that a woman was the passenger in a car and was trying to exit, but the man who was driving would not let her. A CPD officer saw the vehicle near 8th and Washington Streets and recognized Beck as the driver.
When CPD tried to pull the vehicle over, the driver stopped momentarily, but then accelerated. Officers pursued the car through Columbus onto I-65 South. The suspect eventually gave up near the 50-mile marker of I-65.
After the car stopped, officers searched and allegedly found suspected methamphetamine, marijuana, and a pipe. They believe Beck attempted to destroy some of the drugs. Officers also discovered the female passenger had a protective order against Beck. She was not seriously injured and was released from the scene.
After gathering more evidence, Beck was arrested for the preliminary charges of:
- Criminal Confinement (level 5 felony)
- Domestic Battery (level 6 felony)
- Possession of Meth (level 6 felony)
- Resisting Law Enforcement in a Vehicle (level 6 felony)
- Obstruction of Justice (level 6 felony)
- Invasion of Privacy (A misdemeanor)
- Possession of Marijuana (B misdemeanor)
- Possession of Paraphernalia (B misdemeanor)
- Reckless Driving (C misdemeanor)
