According to the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, a suspect is in custody following a pursuit and tense standoff late Thursday.
Deputies were on routine patrol when they saw a Chevrolet SUV traveling at a high rate of speed on a rural county road.
After confirming the speed, deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop.
The driver refused to stop and instead turned into a driveway in the 18000 block of County Road 146, continued down a farm lane, and eventually drove into a large open field.
Authorities say the vehicle remained in motion despite repeated signals to stop until additional deputies arrived on the scene.
Deputies blocked both exits from the field, effectively containing the vehicle.
The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Daniel Murphy, exited the SUV while brandishing what appeared to be a handgun before getting back inside the vehicle and calling 911.
Hardin County dispatchers remained on the line with Murphy and were able to de-escalate the situation, ultimately convincing him to discard the weapon and surrender.
He then exited the vehicle with his hands raised and was taken into custody.
Deputies later determined the weapon was an airsoft pistol.
A search of the vehicle and the surrounding area led to the discovery of drug paraphernalia and a suspected controlled substance.
Murphy was transported to the Multi-County Jail, where he is being held pending arraignment.
He faces multiple traffic violations and criminal charges, including failure to comply and aggravated menacing.
