A local man was arrested earlier this morning after he attempted to flee from Columbus Police. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the department, says that at approximately 12:40 a.m., Officers Reid Thayer and Lukas Nibarger observed a car with a flat tire and broken rear window traveling on Lafayette Avenue. When the officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver 56-year-old James R. Charles, of Columbus, sped into a parking lot in the 600 block of Third Street, got out of the vehicle and ran. Officers caught up to Charles moments later and he was taken into custody. While speaking with Charles, police noted the strong odor of an alcohol on his breath.

Charles was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital for a blood alcohol test. He was then booked on preliminary charges of Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence and Resisting Law Enforcement.