Police said a man already was on house arrest when he got into a pursuit with Greenwood police, struck multiple vehicles and then charged one of the officers.
Johnny D. Gamill Jr., 28, Indianapolis, was arrested on charges of theft, battery, resisting law enforcement, failing to stop after an accident and driving while suspended with a prior conviction in the past 10 years.
The incident started just before 12:30 p.m. Friday, when police were called to Greenwood Park Mall on a report that a man had stolen nearly $900 in clothing and ran from security officers, according to the Greenwood Police Department report.
An officer spotted a vehicle that matched the description of the one the employee gave and tried to stop it. But the vehicle sped away, cutting through roads and parking lots to head north on U.S. 31.
The vehicle weaved in and out of traffic, striking two cars before stopping in a parking lot. The driver got out and ran but then headed back to the vehicle when he saw an officer following him. The vehicle headed north on U.S. 31 again, tried to make a U-turn and struck another vehicle, causing serious damage to both vehicles, the report said.
The officer walked up to the vehicle, opened the passenger door and ordered Gamill to get out. Gamill charged at the officer, and the officer fired his Taser, but Gamill continued to struggle. Gamill got on the ground, and a motorist stopped to help the officer get Gamill into handcuffs, the report said. Several other motorists in the area also stopped, the report said.
Police found the items reported stolen from the mall inside the vehicle, the report said.
Gamill told officers he ran because he didn’t want to go back to jail, the report said. Police found Gamill was on house arrest and had prior convictions for theft and violating the terms of the Marion County Community Corrections program, where he had been sentenced to house arrest and probation earlier this year.
Gamill, 4719 Eva Court, was arrested and taken to the Johnson County jail where he was being held on $11,200 bond.
