The Starke County Sheriff’s Department has released more information about a high-speed pursuit that started near Grovertown and ended in Marshall County. A sheriff’s deputy tried to stop a vehicle on U.S. 30 west of 1200 East, but the driver kept going. He finally stopped at 1100 East but put his car into reverse when the officer got out of his patrol vehicle. The suspect backed into the police car, causing the vehicle to strike the deputy.The suspect then tried to pull forward, and the officer did not know if he was going to flee or back into him again. The officer then fired three shots into the suspect’s vehicle. That’s when the suspect turned north onto 1100 East. A second Starke County Sheriff’s Deputy arrived and took over the chase. The officer who tried to stop the car then got back into his vehicle and continued the pursuit as well. The suspect led the officers up 1100 East to 550 North and into Marshall County on their 6B Road. He then took Plymouth-LaPorte Trail to 7B Road and turned west.
Authorities say he jumped out of is moving vehicle as he topped a hill. The car struck a mailbox and went off the roadway into a bean field. The suspect then ran into a woods with a Starke County Sheriff’s Deputy in pursuit. He chased him about 300 yards and tased him before taking him into custody. Plymouth EMS took him to the local hospital where he was treated and released.
The man is identified as Paul Coffin. He’s jailed without bond in Starke County pending a review of charges by the prosecutor. The Indiana State Police is investigating the incident since it involved an officer-involved shooting. The Marshall County, Knox, LaPorte, Walkerton, North Liberty and Indiana State Police Departments all assisted at the scene. The names of the Starke County Sheriff’s Deputies involved in the pursuit have not been released.
