MITCHELL - FEBRUARY 2, 2023 - On January 31, 2023, at approximately 10L00 pm, K9 Officer Michael Bargo, K9 Officer Kenton Carter, Officer Christian Anderson and Officer Josh Turner executed a warrant service on Joe Porter.
A suspect tries to use knife during struggle with Mitchell Police officers
Joe Porter was wanted on 5 outstanding failure to appear warrants for the original offenses of 2 counts of criminal confinement while armed with a deadly weapon (Level 3 Felony), resisting Law Enforcement while drawing a deadly weapon, 3 counts of Burglary of a dwelling (Level 4 Felony), Burglary (Level 4 Felony), 4 counts of Theft w/ prior conviction ( Level 6 Felony) , possession of Methamphetamine, residential entry (Level 6 Felony) , Theft of a firearm ( Level 6 felony).
The Officers utilized a variety of investigative techniques to discover the whereabouts of Joe. The officers learned that Joe was being hidden in an area of East Frank Street.
Our Mitchell Officers organized a plan of action to apprehend Joe in an open area to minimize the risk of serious bodily harm to himself as well as to our officers.
While in different positions to maintain a visual on the suspected area Joe was believed to be in. K9 Officer Carter spotted an individual walking west bound East Frank Street. K9 Officer Bargo was able to positively identify the male to be Joe Porter.
Once Joe was confronted by Mitchell Police, Joe immediately took off running down East Frank Street before suddenly turning his direction to Suuth 2nd Street.
Joe was ordered to stop by Mitchell Police but continued to flee on foot. After a short foot pursuit, K9 Officer Carter was able to catch Joe and forcibly take him to the ground.
Once on the ground, Joe heavily resisted after being ordered to stop resisting. During the struggle to gain control of Joe’s arms, Officer Turner spotted in Joe’s right hand to be a utility knife with a razor-sharp triangulated point.
Officer Turner called out the knife to the other officers and all officers tried to gain control of the knife Joe was wielding. During the struggle for the knife, Officer Anderson received a small cut to his nose by the knife.
Officer Turner deployed his TASER device multiple times ina dry stun application to Joe’s body but had no effect on Joe due to his high level of drug impairment. Officer Turner was able to remove the knife from Joe’s hand and remove it from the altercation.
After a few minutes of struggling to gain control over Joe, Mitchell Officers we’re able to successfully place Joe into handcuffs. K9 Officer Bargo called for immediate medical assistance for an injury Joe sustained to his hand during the struggle for the knife.
During a search of Joe’s person, Officers located 3 separate plastic baggies containing a crystal-like substance that field tested positive for the presence of Methamphetamine. Officers also located a second knife in Joe’s pocket along with a razor blade.
Joe was transported to IU Health Bedford hospital for any further injuries possibly sustained during the arrest. After Joe was medically cleared from IU health Bedford hospital, Jow was transported to the Lawrence County Jail.
Joe was charged with the following:
BATTERY ON A PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIAL WHILE ARMED W/ A DEADLY WEAPON - Level 5 Felony
BATTERY ON A PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIAL RESULTING IN BODILY INJURY - Level 5 Felony
BATTERY ON A PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIAL - Level 6 Felony
RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT BY FORCE - DRAWS A DEADLY WEAPON - Level 6 Felony
RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT BY FLEEING - Class A misdemeanor
CRIMINAL RECKLESSNESS - LEVEL 6 FELONY
POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE - LEVEL 6 Felony
POSSESSION OF PARAPHERNALIA- Class C Misdemeanor
" We’re extremely fortunate no one received any major injuries during this incident. This was a potentially deadly situation that could have occurred but fortunately our officers were able to remove the deadly weapon despite receiving injuries and take Joe into custody," said Michael Bargo Mitchell Police Department.
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