PERU, IN- On September 10, 2023, at approximately 8:56 pm, officers from the Peru Police Department were dispatched to the area of U.S. 24 and State Road 19 for a suspicious male walking and waving a flashlight at passing vehicles. Officers from the Peru Police Department responded and located the male, later identified as 54-year-old John Drudge of Warsaw. Officers initially spoke with Drudge who was not cooperative with officers. Officers later determined that Drudge had an active warrant through Kosciusko County. When officers confronted Drudge, he fled into a field in an attempt to flee from officers. As officers were searching the area, Drudge contacted Miami County Central Dispatch and told dispatchers that he was armed with a knife and would not surrender to officers.
Officers from the Peru Police Department, Miami County Sheriff’s Office, and the Indiana State Police searched the area and located Drudge hiding in a yard on County Road 175 East. When confronted by officers, Drudge placed a knife to his throat and refused to comply with officer’s instructions to drop the knife. Officers on-scene deployed their Tasers on Drudge and officers were able to safely take him into custody.
Once in custody, Drudge was transported to Dukes Memorial Hospital for treatment. While at the hospital, Drudge became combative with officers and kicked an officer in the face causing injuries to the officer. After receiving treatment at Dukes Memorial Hospital, Drudge was transported to the Miami County Jail where he was booked into custody for Resisting Law Enforcement While Drawing a Deadly Weapon, a Level 6 Felony; Battery on a Public Safety Official, a Level 6 Felony; Intimidation, a Level 6 Felony; Disorderly Conduct, a Class B Misdemeanor; and a Kosciusko County warrant for Invasion of Privacy.
The Peru Police Department was assisted by the Miami County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, Miami County Central Dispatch, and Miami County EMS.
