INDIANAPOLIS — A man who police say intentionally rammed a squad car on Friday is back in custody after being freed from jail.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrested George Leachman on a warrant on Monday, however a court official said he was previously released due to a clerical error.'
"The judicial officer set a $45,000 surety bond, which is in accordance with the bail matrix," Marion Superior Court Administrator Emily VanOsdol said. "However, due to a clerical error, the case was updated by a court staff member with a $4,500 surety bond."
VanOsdol said Leachman paid the lower bond and was freed on Saturday.
"The court became aware of the error (Monday) and is working to address it," VanOsdol said.
Leachman has a history of crashing into police cars, IMPD said.
- In 2017, he was arrested after ramming three police cars and injuring two officers during a chase.
- In 2018, he was arrested for driving over an IMPD police car being driven by an officer.
- In February, officers shot Leachman after they say he rammed three squad cars with people inside.
WRTV reported on prior incidents involving the man.
"It is with great frustration and concern that I address the weekend release of (the suspect) on bond," IMPD Chief Randal Taylor said in a statement Monday.
"Leachman has proven time and time again that he has no regard for the law, and should not have the ability to put our officers or the general public in any more danger."
This year alone, IMPD said Leachman caused more than $67,000 in damage to police vehicles.
"Our officers work tirelessly to deescalate dangerous situations and bring individuals like Leachman into custody unharmed and without injury to members of our community," Taylor said. "Thankfully, no one was injured in this latest incident, but his release raises serious concerns for the safety of our officers and the community."
In Friday's incident, police say an officer tried to stop Leachman for driving with an expired license plate on East Naomi Street and Lawton Avenue on the near south side shortly before 7 p.m.
Leachman stopped briefly in a Ford pickup before ramming the officer's car multiple times and driving off, police said. The officer followed despite the damage to the squad car.
During the chase, police said Leachman backed the truck up and again struck the police car.
Police say no one was injured in Friday's incident.
For the Nov. 4 incident, Leachman is charged with resisting law enforcement, resisting law enforcement causing bodily injury, criminal recklessness committed with a deadly weapon and criminal mischief damage.
Contact WRTV reporter Vic Ryckaert at victor.ryckaert@wrtv.com or on X/Twitter: @vicryc.
