Ind. Top Cops Upset at Release of Suspect who Rammed Cruisers
The head of the Indiana State Police is upset that a man who clashed with law enforcement earlier this year was released on bond after ramming an Indianapolis police officer's car multiple times during a stop last week.
The incident happened when an Indianapolis police officer pulled over George Leachman, 43, who allegedly was driving a stolen truck with a license plate that expired in 2015, WTHR-TV reports. Leachman stopped for the officer, but then rammed the officer's cruiser multiple times and sped off.
The officer pursued Leachman, who put the truck in reverse and struck the cruiser again. Leachman finally stopped his truck, and he was taken into custody.
Leachman was charged with battery of a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest. A $45,000 bond had been set, but it was changed to $4,500 because of a "clerical error," and Leachman paid the amount and was released.
“It is with great frustration and concern that I address the weekend release of Mr. Leachman on bond," said Indianapolis Police Chief Randal Taylor. "Leachman has proven time and time again that he has no regard for the law, and should not have the ability to put our officers or the general public in any more danger. The fact that this individual has allegedly rammed multiple police cars, placing officers at risk of serious bodily harm or death, on separate incidents is absolutely unacceptable.”
After the error was caught, Marion County sheriff's deputies located and arrested him.
In February, Leachman was shot and wounded after he was accused of ramming three Indianapolis police cruisers and injuring three officers. It's because of that previous Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter should have been held without bond in Friday's incident.
"This guy had no business on the street," Carter said. "If he's out on bond and he got re-arrested, he should not have had a bond because he violated the first bond."