Chase through cow pasture, river ends near Exit 15

A Williamsburg man pled guilty Monday to charges that he led Williamsburg police and Whitley County Sheriff’s deputies on a foot pursuit early Saturday evening.
Williamsburg Police Officer Shawn Jackson charged Matthew Pool, 21, of 280 Cindy Lane, with resisting arrest, third-degree criminal mischief, third-degree terroristic threatening, menacing, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, and second-degree fleeing or evading police.
The incident happened about 6 p.m. Saturday when Jackson responded to a disorderly conduct complaint that Pool was in a neighborhood trying to break windows out of a house, according to the arrest citation. Pool then ran through the neighborhood screaming, and causing neighbors to fear for their safety.
When he was approached by officers an told to stop, Pool ran from them on foot going through a cow pasture, over an embankment, and finally into the river, which he swam across in an attempt to elude police, the citation noted.
He was caught about 25 minutes later near the 15-mile marker in the northbound lane of I-75.
Three officers uniforms were damaged during the chase, and scuffle that ensued when Pool had to physically be “brought under arrest,” the citation stated.
Pool pleaded guilty to all charges Monday during his arraignment before District Judge Cathy Prewitt, who scheduled an Oct. 23 sentencing date.
Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputies Allen Onkst, Josh Meadors, and Glen Bunch assisted with the investigation.