The Grovertown man accused of backing into a Starke County Sheriff’s Deputy during an attempted traffic stop before leading officers on a high-speed chase through two counties last week is jailed on a $250,000 surety bond. Paul Thomas Coffin, 34, of Grovertown, pleaded not guilty to the charges during his initial hearing in Starke Circuit Court.
They include the felony offenses of possession of methamphetamine and resisting law enforcement as well as misdemeanor charges of possession of paraphernalia, driving while suspended, aggressive driving, operating a vehicle dangerously while intoxicated, criminal mischief, criminal recklessness and failure to stop after an accident.
Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall denied Coffin’s request to reduce his bond, saying he believes Coffin is a flight risk and poses a threat to public safety based on his actions during the attempted Sept. 3 traffic stop. Coffin told the judge he thought the incident was a “minor thing” compared to some of the other run-ins he’s had with the law and admitted he’s been to prison three times. Officers from multiple departments joined the chase through Starke and Marshall Counties last week. Coffin was finally apprehended in Marshall County after he abandoned his car and tried to flee on foot. A deputy used his taser to stop him.
