Police: Teacher, wrestling coach gets second OWI

GREENWOOD, Ind. (WISH) - Greenwood Police say they arrested a Beech Grove teacher and wrestling coach on OWI charges early Saturday morning.

According to a police report, officers attempted to pull over a blue 2001 Ford Ranger for speeding near the intersection of Emerson and South Park Blvd.The vehicle acted like it was going to stop, and then began to speed off.

Eventually, the vehicle came to a stop in the 1100 block of North Emerson and the driver began to run off on foot. The suspect then fled to a nearby Walmart, where he hid behind a dumpster.

Another vehicle approached the area and came to a stop near the dumpster. When the suspect attempted to flee the area, the driver of the other vehicle hopped out of the car and grabbed the suspect, attempting to keep him from running off again.

However, the suspect was able to break free and run from the scene. According to the police report, the officer fired his stun gun into the suspect's back, causing him to fall to the ground. The officer says he was forced to fire his stun gun a few more times because the suspect made numerous rapid movements.

Additional officers were called to the scene and arrested the suspect, who was later identified as 25-year-old Nicholas J. Walpole.

Walpole told officers he fled because he was drinking and was scared of getting a DUI. Officers noticed he smelled of alcohol and his eyed were a bit glassy.

Walpole was taken to the Greenwood Police Department where he was administered a number of sobriety tests. However, he refused to take a breath test.

Walpole told officers he was a teacher and wrestling coach at Beech Grove High School and could not risk getting "another DUI." Officers learned Walpole was convicted of driving while intoxicated in 2009 in Monroe County.

Walpole was then transported to the Johnson County Jail where is facing a felony OWI charge, and resisting law enforcement charges.