Peru - Saturday morning, at approximately 1:00 a.m., Indiana State Trooper Mike Lorona was on routine patrol when he noticed a 1989 Lincoln passenger car at the intersection of Ellis Road and Business 31 without its headlights turned on. As Trooper Lorona was driving behind the Lincoln, its driver disregarded a stop sign at the intersection of Ellis Road and Wallick Road. Trooper Lorona activated his emergency lights in an attempt to stop the Lincoln. The Lincoln turned westbound on County Road 300 South and sped up, refusing to stop. Approximately 10 seconds later, the Lincoln failed to negotiate a curve and traveled off of the north side of the road striking a utility pole. The driver, later identified as Hector Blanco, 34, Peru, IN, fled on foot.
Approximately an hour later, Miami County Sheriff's Sergeant Gary Glassburn located Blanco walking near the entrance of the Woodland Hills Trailer Court. As Glassburn attempted to take Blanco into custody, he resisted, and a struggle ensued. Glassburn, with assistance from a trailer court resident, was able to get Blanco handcuffed and take him into custody. Blanco was treated at Dukes Memorial Hospital for lacerations and an eye injury suffered in the crash. Sergeant Glassburn was also treated for an injury sustained during the struggle. He was treated and released. He has since returned to duty.
Officers allegedly found approximately three grams of cocaine near Blanco's vehicle. Further investigation revealed that Blanco was allegedly over the .08 blood alcohol concentration limit in which a driver is considered intoxicated in Indiana. He was also purportedly driving after his license was revoked for life after having been deemed a habitual traffic violator. Blanco is incarcerated in the Miami County Jail with a bond of $37,000. He faces felony charges for possession of cocaine over three grams, battery on a law enforcement officer causing injury, resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, and driving after his license was revoked for being deemed a habitual traffic violator for life. He also faces a misdemeanor charge for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
"Sergeant Glassburn's professional police work in locating Blanco and the trailer court resident's willingness to get involved and assist Sergeant Glassburn in arresting a resisting felon are to be commended," stated Trooper Lorona. "Outstanding cooperation between law enforcement agencies resulted in a dangerous man being incarcerated before he could cause needless harm to an innocent victim."
Trooper Lorona was assisted in this investigation by ISP Sergeant Jason Page, Trooper T.J. Zeiser, Master Trooper Gary Shenefield, Trooper Ezariah Bricknell, Miami County Reserve Deputy Brian Meacham, and Duke's Hospital EMS.
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