Mt. Vernon man accused of jumping from moving car to avoid arrest

Suspect allegedly fled police and caused property damage in Evansville, Indiana

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Police in Evansville, Indiana say a 26-year-old Mt. Vernon man, Blake A. Weinzapfel, is facing serious charges after he allegedly refused to pull over for a traffic stop, nearly struck a police cruiser during a brief chase, and then jumped out of his moving vehicle, causing it to crash into a portable basketball goal before he fled on foot.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dangers of high-speed police chases and the risks that fleeing suspects can pose to public safety, as well as the potential for property damage when suspects attempt to evade arrest.

The details

According to police, around midnight on October 26, 2025, officers attempted to pull over Weinzapfel's Lincoln sedan after he ran a red light at the Riverside Drive-Kentucky Avenue intersection. Weinzapfel allegedly refused to stop, leading to a brief chase where he nearly struck a police cruiser. Weinzapfel's abandoned, still-running vehicle was later found at the intersection of Bedford and Jefferson Avenue, where a homeowner's surveillance camera captured footage of Weinzapfel jumping out of the moving car and fleeing on foot, causing the vehicle to crash into a portable basketball goal.

  • Around midnight on October 26, 2025, officers attempted to pull over Weinzapfel's vehicle.
  • Late Friday morning, Weinzapfel was arrested without bond.

The players

Blake A. Weinzapfel

A 26-year-old man from Mt. Vernon, Indiana who is accused of refusing to pull over for a traffic stop, leading police on a brief chase, and then jumping out of his moving vehicle to flee on foot.

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What’s next

A warrant was issued for Weinzapfel's arrest, and he was taken into custody late Friday morning. He is being held in jail without bond.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the serious consequences that can result from attempting to evade law enforcement, both for the suspect and for public safety. It underscores the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement and the community to address issues of crime and public safety.