George L. Wallace, 37, Michigan City
HANCOCK COUNTY — A group of people walking in the middle of the road led to the arrest of a Michigan City man who officials said was wanted on a warrant in another county. George Lee Wallace, 37, 1 Park Row Street, also committed crimes in Hancock County when officials tried to talk to him, law enforcement said.
Locally, Wallace was arrested Jan. 26 and charged with a Level 4 felony count of unlawful possession of a firearm by serious violent felon, a Level 6 felony count of battery against a public safety official, a Level 6 felony count of resisting law enforcement and a Class B misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.
The case against Wallace was officially opened in Hancock County Superior Court 1 last week. Wallace had his initial appearance Jan. 29. He’s being held under a $10,000 cash bond. Court records show he is scheduled to be back in court Wednesday, Feb. 21 for a case conference. He’s been appointed a public defender.
According to a probable cause affidavit, officers from the Greenfield Police Department (GPD) were called to the area of E. McKenzie Street and N. Swope Street for a report of people walking in the roadway Jan. 26.
An officer spoke to the male primarily, who verbally identified himself as Wallace, the affidavit said. Wallace and the two females he was with stated they were coming from the 500 block of Berry Street where they had been visiting family and were trying to get to the Quality Inn.
The officer gave the group directions, he said in the affidavit. Once back in his police vehicle, the officer went ahead and ran a check on Wallace’s name and was advised Wallace possibly had a warrant out for arrest. It was later determined Wallace did indeed have a warrant out of Marion County, officials said in the affidavit.
A look at Wallace’s records show he has been convicted of carjacking, auto theft and does have an open case, a Level 4 felony count of burglary in Marion County where a warrant was issued on Jan. 3.
Officials from the GPD watched Wallace as he went into the Circle K gas station, the affidavit said. Officers went in and were attempting to get Wallace to put down his wallet and give the officers his hands so they could take him in on the warrant, but he would not comply, officials said in the report.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Wallace sat down to the ground and continued to not comply with orders given while screaming loudly. Police noted they eventually placed handcuffs on Wallace after struggling with him. During this time, Wallace admitted he had a gun in his waistband.
The officers noted in the report, Wallace attempted to kick the officers causing them to protect themselves and put him in leg restraints. When the officer’s asked Wallace to calm down, he instead cursed and spit on one of them, the report stated.
