A stolen-car chase that kicked off in a Madison McDonald’s parking lot wrapped up Monday morning with an arrest in Scott County, after the driver took off through multiple jurisdictions and finally ran out of gas. Authorities say the fleeing vehicle clipped a guardrail in Hanover before it sputtered to a stop, and the lone occupant was taken into custody. No injuries were reported.
According to a Facebook update from the City of Madison Police Department, officers got the call around 8:03 a.m. Monday, when the Scott County Sheriff’s Department reported a stolen vehicle sitting in the McDonald’s lot on Clifty Drive. Officers Mundt and Watson Jr. moved in, but as they approached, the driver hit the gas and bolted at a high rate of speed. Police say the car headed into Scott County, struck a guardrail in Hanover, and kept going with front-end damage and a flat tire before eventually stopping after it ran out of fuel. The occupant was then taken into custody without further incident, according to the City of Madison Police Department.
How the Chase Unfolded
Madison officers were soon joined by deputies from neighboring counties, turning the pursuit into a coordinated, multi-agency effort. The City of Madison's website lists the police department at 621 West Street and notes that the agency routinely teams up with county partners on multi-jurisdiction responses. Officials credited that kind of cooperation with helping law enforcement secure the scene quickly once the car finally stopped.
Charges and Arrest
Police identified the driver as 18-year-old Cayden S. Morelli of Scottsburg. According to the City of Madison Police Department, he now faces several allegations, including resisting law enforcement by fleeing, reckless driving, leaving the scene of a property-damage crash, possession of marijuana, and possession of stolen property. He was booked and remains in custody pending formal charges, police said. The department reported that there was no information yet on bond or initial court dates.
Who Helped
The Madison police post noted that officers were assisted by Jefferson County Sheriff Ben Flint, Det. Yancy Denning and deputies Patrick Finnegan and Linton Spry of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Chief Shane Caldwell of the Hanover Police Department, and deputies from the Scott County Sheriff's Department. Sheriff Ben Flint serves as Jefferson County's top law enforcement official, according to WDRB. The arrest comes amid recent MPD activity across Jefferson County, officials and local reporting have noted.
Investigators say the case remains active and additional charges could be added as detectives keep working it. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Madison Police tip line or use the city's anonymous reporting portal.
