CHARLESTON - A man pleaded not guilty this week to charges accusing him of driving a stolen car when he hit a Mattoon police squad car and of having another stolen vehicle.
David A. Bratcher entered the plea to charges of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude police and possession of a stolen vehicle. Police say they were pursuing him on the morning of Jan. 10 for driving a car that was reported stolen when he drove the car into squad car involved in the pursuit.
Also, according to case records, Bratcher wasn't arrested immediately after the accident but was found later driving a pickup truck that was also reported stolen and was arrested then.
Bratcher, 28, for whom records list an address on DeWitt Avenue but who also listed an address of "homeless," remains jailed with his bond set at a level where he'd have to post $10,000 to be released. During his court appearance, defense attorney Jeannine Garrett requested a jury trial on the charges.
Circuit Judge Teresa Righter didn't set a trial date but instead scheduled hearing for Feb. 14 to review the status of the case. Assistant State's Attorney Eric Neumann is prosecuting.
The case's records say the police pursuit of Bratcher began around 5:30 a.m. and he didn't stop after he hit the police car at the intersection of Lake Land Boulevard and Lafayette Avenue in Mattoon.
The pursuit ended at that point, the records say, but Bratcher was later seen driving the pickup truck. The truck hit several objects before Bratcher stopped at the UPS facility at 2200 S. 14th St., where he was arrested, according to the records.
Bratcher is currently charged in connection with the chase and for allegedly having the stolen pickup truck. No charges are on file in connection with the theft of the car he was reportedly driving when he hit the squad car, however. Those charges are felony offenses that could result in maximum prison sentence of seven years if he's convicted.
Bratcher is also charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, a misdemeanor offense. In November, he was placed on probation for two years when he pleaded guilty to aggravated battery and trespassing offenses.
Contact Fopay at dfopay@jg-tc.com or 238-6858.
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