Father leads police on three county chase with baby in car

Local News

A local man was arrested over the weekend after Columbus Police say he led area officers on a 90 minute chase with his girlfriend and

Kyle Pacek; photo courtesy of the Columbus Police Dept.
Kyle Pacek; photo courtesy of the Columbus Police Dept.

eight-month old child in the vehicle. Lt Matt Harris, CPD spokesman, says that at 12:05 p.m. on Saturday, an officer saw a car without a rear bumper near Eighth and Maple Streets. A license plate check revealed that the driver, 28-year-old Kyle I. Pacek, had two warrants for his arrest. When the officer attempted to stop Pacek, he allegedly refused to pull over and initially led officers on a low speed chase on the city’s north side. A short time later, Pacek allegedly increased his speed and led officers out of Columbus and into Bartholomew County. Harris says the pursuit continued into southern Decatur County and northern Jennings County at speeds approaching 80 miles per hour. During the pursuit, police say that Pacek was able to avoid several tire deflation devices. Pacek eventually reentered Bartholomew County and stopped in the 7800 block of South County Road 800 East. Harris says that Pacek then got out of the car and fled on foot after his car was inadvertantly rear-ended by a Jennings County Sheriff’s Department vehicle. Pacek was caught by an Indiana State Police Trooper a short time later. When officers approached Pacek’s vehicle, they found Pacek’s baby, who was not hurt, in the backseat of the vehicle. Authorities say that Pacek’s girlfriend declined medical treatment for a minor facial injury.

Pacek was booked in the Bartholomew County Jail on a 48 hour hold. In addiiton to the warrants, he is facing preliminary charges of:

Neglect of a Dependent (Level 6 Felony)
Resisting Law Enforcement in a Vehicle Resulting in Bodily Injury (Level 5 Felony)
Resisting Law Enforcement on Foot (Class A Misdemeanor)
Criminal Recklessness (Class B Misdemeanor)
Criminal Confinement (Level 5 Felony)

Columbus Police thank Indiana State Police, the Decatur County Sheriff’s Department, Greensburg Police Department, Jennings County Sheriff’s Department and Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department for their help during this pursuit.