Staff Report

Devin Stuart Gerding

CLAYPOOL — A Leesburg man was arrested after fleeing a police officer while speeding on a motorcycle.

Devin Stuart Gerding, 25, 4527 N. 175E, Leesburg, is charged with resisting law enforcement, a Level 6 felony; resisting law enforcement, a class A misdemeanor; and reckless driving, a class C misdemeanor.

On April 4, the Claypool Town Marshal noticed a motorcycle sitting in front of Main Street in Claypool. As the marshal drove past the motorcycle, the driver, later identified as Gerding, placed the motorcycle’s kickstand down and stepped off the vehicle. A registration check showed Gerding did not have a motorcycle endorsement or a motorcycle learner’s permit.

According to court documents, when the marshal circled around the block, he noticed the motorcycle traveling east on Section Street. The marshal pulled the motorcycle over but Gerding drove away when the marshal exited his vehicle.

During the pursuit, Gerding failed to signal a turn, disregarded a stop sign and reached speeds of 101 mph. When he attempted to travel west on CR 300S, Gerding lost control of the motorcycle. He laid the motorcycle down and ran north across a field.

Gerding later got down on the ground, faced the marshal and said, “Just come get me.”

When asked why he ran, Gerding said, “I was stupid.”

Gerding has already been arrested and released on bond. He has an initial hearing at 1 p.m. May 5, in Kosciusko Superior Court Three.