Suspect arrested after police chase through Vigo Co. field

​By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

A Terre Haute man was arrested on multiple charges after a police chase that ended in a Vigo County bean field yesterday afternoon.

Chad J. Decker, 45, ​ was booked into the Vigo County Jail around 6 p.m. and charged with the following:

• Operating while intoxicated
• Reckless driving
• Criminal mischief
• Reckless driving
• Refusal to identify self
• Criminal trespass
• Resisting law Enforcement in vehicle​​

According to the report, Indiana State Police Trooper Andrew Mattern initiated a traffic stop on the dark colored SUV, after observing the driver make an unsafe lane movement on US 41 near French Drive around 4 p.m. The suspect continued driving for about a mile before pulling over on the side of the road.

The suspect refused to identify himself to Mattern; However, the trooper recognized the driver from first hand experience dealing with him in the past and was able to recall his name, ISP Sgt. Matt Ames said today.

Mattern reportedly smelled a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the vehicle and observed a partially empty bottle of Crown Royal in the passenger seat.  At this time,the trooper noticed the suspect was placing the vehicle into gear and tried to stop him.

"Trooper Mattern then grabbed Decker by his shirt, attempting to gain control of Decker and to keep him from placing the vehicle into gear,"  Ames said, adding that it was to no avail.

Decker fled northbound on US 41 and drove through the Pimento gas station parking lot, heading eastnound on Pimento Circle Drive.  The pursuit continued over railroad tracks and into a bean field, until the SUV got stuck.  

A farmer arrived in the area and offered him a ride through the field in his 4-wheel drive pickup truck. With the farmer's assistance, Mattern got to where the suspect's vehicle was resting.

Decker fled on foot from the SUV. He eventually laid down and Mattern was able to apprehend him.

​Ames said Decker refused to submit to a certified chemical test before being transported to the jail.