Connersville man pulls knife on officer, uses 5-year-old as shield

WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) – A Connersville man was arrested on multiple felony charges Monday.

According to police, an off-duty officer was doing yard work at his home located in rural south western Wayne County, when he heard a lawn mower going up his driveway. When he walked to the front of his home, where his children were playing, he saw a man and young boy driving up on a riding lawn mower.

Police said the man was intoxicated and asked the officer for a tow, then became vulgar and belligerent when the officer offered to call a ride for the man and younger boy. The officer then took his children inside their home and called for assistance. The officer went back outside to calm the man down and to wait for backup.

Police said at one point, 22-year-old Samuel Wilson of Shay Street in Connersville pulled a knife from his belt and threatened the officer, but the officer was able to talk him into putting the knife down. When a backup officer arrived, the man resisted arrest and refused to follow directions. Police said he even attempted to use his 5-year-old son as a shield.

Officers were eventually able to get the 5-year-old free from the man to take him into custody.

Wilson had a B.A.C level of two times the .08 percent legal limit and was arrested. He was charged with the following:

• Intimidation
• Criminal recklessness
• Operating while intoxicated with a passenger less than 18 years of age
• Resisting law enforcement

Wilson was transported to the Wayne County Jail.

Division of Child Services was also called to the scene, and the 5-year-old boy was released to his custodial parents.