A Linton driver who didn’t have a valid driver’s license attempted to avoid a traffic stop first by fleeing in his vehicle then fleeing on foot from an officer who gave chase. He wound up in jail.

Theodore James (T.J.) Miller, 36, was taken into custody in an incident that got out-of-control and ultimately resulted in the arrest of Miller and Jonathan Towell last Saturday, October 27.

Det. Paul Clark of the Linton Police Department was on duty that day. Around noon, when he saw a Honda Civic at the intersection of D Street NW and 3rd Street NW and recognized Miller as the driver, he thought Miller’s driver’s license was suspended. He checked the record to confirm his suspicion then activated red and blue lights to conduct a traffic stop.

Instead of pulling over, Miller allegedly didn’t stop but disregarded a stop sign as he turned onto another street, then another before he pulled into a driveway of a residence on D Street NW where Jonathan Towell lives in a camper.

Det. Clark said Miller ran from his vehicle and Clark gave chase but lost him. When Clark got back to the front of the residence, he heard a voice yelling an obscenity and threat toward him and he recognized the man as Towell. Then Miller, who had been inside the residence, came outside.

In a probable cause affidavit prepared by Det. Clark, he wrote that when other officers arrived to assist, he was dealing with an “out-of-control” scene which resulted in the arrests of both Miller and Towell.

More details will be included in another story about the incident with Jonathan Towell who was arrested, then bonded out but now has a warrant out for his arrest because he failed to show up for his initial hearing.

Miller allegedly attempted to get the resident of the house to say the car he was driving belonged to her in an effort to avoid it getting towed. However, the resident told the truth and said she was not involved with the vehicle in any manner. The car was inventoried and towed.

Det. Clark reported Miller’s driving privileges are suspended indefinitely since he was convicted of driving while suspended in 2010.

Miller is now facing preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement using a vehicle – a Level 6 felony, driving while suspended – a knowing violation with a prior conviction, a Class A misdemeanor, and resisting law enforcement – knowingly or intentionally fleeing, a Class A misdemeanor.

Miller was booked in to the Greene County Jail around 2:40 that day. His bond was set at $6,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. He has since posted $600 cash and been released. He’s due in court for his initial hearing on Monday.

Miller also has another case pending against him that dates back to June when he was arrested and charged with felony intimidation and misdemeanor resisting law enforcement, criminal trespassing and disorderly conduct.