Full Notification

On March 13, 2018, at 8:31 P.M., Deputy U.B. Smith conducted a traffic stop on a Silver 2003 Ford Windstar on US 41 near County Road 800 South after receiving reports that the occupants were acting suspicious at a closed business, Scotty’s Lawn and Garden on County Road 1250 South. Upon stopping the vehicle Deputy Smith attempted to identify the occupants of the vehicle, but the driver 32 year old Derek Flahardy of Evansville, Indiana gave Deputy Smith false information in an attempt to disguise his true identity. Upon confronting Mr. Flahardy about his true identity the driver fled the scene at a high rate of speed. After a short pursuit the vehicle became stuck in a field near the intersection of County Road 200 East and County Road 800 South. At that point Mr. Flahardy began to flee Deputy Smith on foot before ultimately being taken into custody by Deputy Smith. After a brief investigation Gibson County Central Dispatch advised Deputy Smith that Mr. Flahardy had a Felony warrant out of Florida for Burglary as well as a failure to appear warrant out of Vanderburgh County. At that point Mr. Flahardy was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he is being held on the outstanding warrants as well as new charges for False Informing, Reckless Driving, Fleeing in a vehicle, Fleeing on foot, and making a false identity statement.

Assisting Deputy Smith in his investigation was Officers from the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office, Haubstadt Police Department, Fort Branch Police Department, and Owensville Police Department.

All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.