INDIANAPOLIS -- Derek Hicks was wanted on an arrest warrant out of Vermillion County when Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers attempted to pull him over at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday morning.
He fled, he was armed and he lived.
Just 24 hours later, Aaron Bailey was stopped by police at around 1:45 a.m. Thursday, fled, and was shot to death.
IMPD says two of their officers shot the unarmed Bailey multiple times in his car after it came to a stop in a crash with a tree. The specific details of what led to the shooting have not yet been released.
IMPD spokesperson Sgt. Kendale Adams tells RTV6 that the department could not comment on the Hicks case because it is now in the hands in the Marion County Prosecutor.
Unlike Bailey, Hicks never stopped for the flashing lights. His 1989 Chevrolet Silverado was going so fast on the 1400 Block of S. Richland Street that it overturned after hitting a silver Dodge Caravan.
Police say Hicks crawled out of the cab of the pickup and ran on foot, south on Richland.
Per a report obtained by Call 6 Investigates, the officer chased him, yelling,"Police, stop, police!"
A few blocks away in the 1700 block of Morgan Street, he was arrested; bloodied and injured.
Police learned the 30-year-old was wanted on a warrant approved by Vermillion County Court on June 16 for resisting arrest along with a bond set for $25,000.
After the traffic stop, IMPD found a black, Smith and Wesson semi-automatic, .40 caliber handgun with 5 rounds in the magazine laying next to the truck. They also found a plastic baggie with more than 14 grams of suspected marijuana in the driver’s side door.
Police arrested Hicks on multiple charges, including resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, carrying a handgun without a license, leaving the scene of an accident, and possession of marijuana.
Call 6 Investigates took a closer look at Hicks’ past. It shows a criminal record that stretches between Vermillion and Parke counties in western Indiana dating back to at least 2009.
Hicks has served time over the years and has been in court to deal with meth-related arrests in 2009, 2011, and 2013, driving while suspended charges in 2013, theft charges in 2014, and battery accusations in 2016.
He is currently wanted on a warrant for resisting law enforcement, possession of methamphetamine, criminal recklessness, and driving a vehicle while suspended.
Hicks had his initial court appearance on Friday and has a jury trial scheduled for September 20, 2017. He will get his day in court, while Bailey, who had his own run-ins with the law, will not get a chance to explain why he drove away from police.
Call 6 Investigates uncovered court documents showing that Bailey had been in and out of jail on multiple charges starting back in 1991.
Court records show Bailey had been convicted of 14 felony and 19 misdemeanor charges over the past 26 years. Those charges include theft, robbery, burglary, battery by bodily fluids, prostitution and numerous drug related charges.
Since 2014 alone, Bailey had been the subject of at least 16 incidents involving the police.
There are still many unanswered questions about Bailey’s incident: Did the officers feel they were in danger and why? Did Mr. Bailey say or do anything after the crash? His family and the public wants to know.
More information on the case may not emerge for weeks. The officers have legal rights and can’t be forced to talk while the criminal investigation is underway. Based on the results of the investigation, the Marion County Prosecutor will either take on the case or request a Grand Jury to take action.
READ MORE ABOUT BAILEY'S SHOOTING DEATH | Man was shot by two officers 'multiple' times | Man killed by IMPD officers was in-and-out of jail, convicted of 14 felonies | IMPD Chief: Officer-involved shooting a 'true test' of relationship between police & community | Daughter of man killed by IMPD: 'We want justice' | Call 6: Warrant issued for man killed by IMPD on the same day he died | Former landlord of Aaron Bailey shares memories, reacts to shooting death | NAACP responds to officer-involved shooting of Aaron Bailey
