VIGO COUNTY, Ind – Friday night (3/13/20) around 11:30 p.m., Indiana State Police Trooper Gerald Stump stopped a car in the area of Locust Street and Lafayette Avenue.
The driver was identified as 28 year old Nathaniel J. Hoctor, of Terre Haute.
Officers became suspicious and searched the vehicle and found drug paraphernalia and a homemade pipe bomb. The Indiana State Police Emergency Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was immediately contacted. Additional troopers were called in and secured the area.
The EOD team took possession of the homemade pipe bomb and disposed of it.
Officers say that Hoctor displayed signs of impairment and refused a certified chemical test.
Troopers also say that a passenger in the vehicle, 28 year old Levi Gillis
of Clinton, was wanted out of Vigo County on an active warrant on several charges:
- Possession of Cocaine or narcotic drug (warrant), Level 5 Felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement (warrant), Level 6 Felony
- Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person (warrant), Class A Misdemeanor
Hoctor was arrested on charges of:
- Possession of of a destruction device, Level 5 Felony
- Operating a vehicle while intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
- Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, Class A Misdemeanor
- Possession of paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor
Both are being held in the Vigo County Jail and will appear in court on Monday (3/16/20).