A Thursday night police chase ended with one man behind bars. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that at approximately 7:15 p.m., Officer Wesley Dodge responded to the area of 17th Street and Midway Street in regards to a report of a possible intoxicated driver. Dodge spotted the vehicle a short time later, however, the driver, 37-year-old Matthew D. Richardson, of Columbus, allegedly refused to pull over. Police say that Richardson sped across the parking lot at Columbus Regional Hospital at speeds up to 50 miles per hour, crashed into a chain length gate and eventually fled on foot after ditching his vehicle in the backyard of a home in the 2600 block of 22nd Street.

Harris says that three Columbus police department canines and their handlers were training nearby and joined in the search for Richardson. A short time later, Officer Branch Schrader and his canine partner, Argo, located Richardson lying down in a wooded area near Lincoln Park. Harris says that Argo assisted with the apprehension of Richardson after he refused to show his hands and come out to the officers. Suspecting that Richardson was under the influence, officers transported him to CRH for a blood draw and for treatment for a dog bite. While searching Richardson’s vehicle, officers reported finding drug paraphernalia and a scale.

After being discharged from the hospital, Richardson was booked in the Bartholomew County Jail on the following preliminary charges:

Operating as a Habitual Traffic Violator
Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle
Possession of a Legend Drug Injection Device
Possession of a Legend Drug Smoking Device
Possession of a Legend Drug
Leaving the Scene of an Accident
Resisting Law Enforcement on Foot
Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence (Endangerment)
Criminal Recklessness