EVANSVILLE, Ind. — A local man has been arrested and charged with multiple felony counts of intimidation and stalking directed at the Evansville Police Department and its officers.
Charles Brumitt, 59, faces five counts of intimidation and one count of stalking after a series of troubling incidents that have unfolded over the past several years. Brumitt’s actions have reportedly created an ongoing pattern of harassment and threats aimed at members of the department.
The first encounter between Brumitt and the Evansville Police Department dates back to September 27, 2019, when he was arrested for battery against an officer. Since then, Brumitt’s interactions with the police have escalated.
On February 15, 2023, police say Brumitt was seen outside a patrol car, shining a flashlight at the vehicle and accusing the officer inside of stalking him. The following year, in May 2024, Brumitt filed a lawsuit against an Evansville Police sergeant, claiming excessive force during an earlier arrest. The court ruled in favor of the sergeant.
Later that same month, Brumitt was reportedly seen attempting to purchase a firearm and register for training at a local gun shop. During the visit, he allegedly told staff he wanted to “be better prepared” for his next encounter with police.
Brumitt’s behavior continued to raise red flags throughout 2024. On July 3, he appeared at Vanderburgh Misdemeanor Court to file a complaint against police officers, claiming they were targeting and harassing him. On the same day, Brumitt allegedly told an officer that Police Chief Phillip Smith “better be armed” when they eventually spoke.
The intimidation escalated on July 26, when Brumitt was spotted outside the Evansville Police Department Headquarters, taking photos of officers as they entered and exited the building. In October 2024, a detective reported that Brumitt had been following them after work, visiting places he frequented in the evenings. Brumitt was also flagged by a local gun dealer after he allegedly told them he wanted to buy a weapon “in case [he] had to deal with police.”
On October 30, 2024, Brumitt was once again seen outside the police headquarters, this time shining a flashlight into the Chief’s office. He reportedly handed officers notes containing threatening messages, including statements like, “Beware…God is watching,” “The day of reckoning is near,” and “Try to kill me, lock me up…see what happens,” along with the names of several officers.
The intimidation continued into late 2024 and early 2025, with reports of Brumitt’s continued actions on December 14, 2024, and February 6, 2025. Authorities believe Brumitt’s conduct was designed to instill fear in officers, interfere with their work, and influence their actions.
As of now, Brumitt remains in custody with an initial bond set at $20,000, though the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office reports that his bond is actually set at $250,000 due to the severity of the charges.
The ongoing investigation has raised concerns among law enforcement, as Brumitt’s behavior appears to be part of a broader pattern of targeted harassment. The Evansville Police Department is continuing to monitor the situation closely as the legal process moves forward.
