On 06/21/23 at approx. 8:35 p.m., Benton Police, Marshall County EMS, and Benton Fire were dispatched to the area of E. 14th Street and Valley Road, for a single vehicle collision. It was reported that the vehicle involved had flipped, and the driver was possibly fleeing the scene. When officers arrived on scene, the driver was spotted running through a nearby corn field. A Benton Police officer gave chase and after a short foot pursuit, the driver was placed into custody. It was apparent that the driver was under the influence of alcohol. The suspect, Nicholas Elam, attempted several times to move the handcuffs from behind his back, to up front. As Marshall County deputies who were assisting at the scene, attempted fix the handcuffs, Elam began fighting with them, then assaulted them. While on the collision scene, Dispatch received a report of a vehicle that had been stolen on Joe Creason Drive, in Benton. It was quickly determined that this was the same vehicle that had just been wrecked. As a result of this investigation and incident, Nicholas J. Elam, 29, of Benton, was charged with following :
– Leaving the scene of an accident
– Fleeing or evading police, 2nd degree (on foot)
– Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol (1st offense)
– Resisting arrest
– Possession of controlled substance, 2nd degree (anabolic steroid)
– Escape 3rd degree (attempted)
– Possession of drug paraphernalia
– Receiving stolen property $1,000 < $10,000
– Assault 3rd degree (police officer)
– Terroristic threatening 3rd degree
– Contempt of court (warrant)
