A Starke County man was taken into custody Saturday after Knox City Police officers received a tip on his location.
According to Knox City Police Chief Harold Smith, officers went to a home in the 400 block of W. Lewis Drive in Knox after confirming that James Watts had several outstanding warrants in Starke County and Marshall County.
Police say Watts fled to the back of the home when officers initially made contact with him. Starke County Sheriff’s K9 Zardoz was deployed into the residence. In a search of the home, K9 Zardoz located Watts who was reportedly hiding in a crawl space. According to police, Watts initially attempted to fight with the K9 and was bitten. Watts was then placed into custody.
Watts received medical care in the emergency room at Starke Hospital and was then taken to the Starke County Jail.
Watts, 39, was wanted on two felony warrants and three misdemeanor warrants. He also faces a preliminary charge of resisting law enforcement.
The Knox City Police Department was assisted by the Starke County Sheriff’s Office, North Judson Police Department and Starke County EMS.
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin said Watts was identified as a suspect who fled from police in an investigation in Grovertown on Aug. 8. Shots were reportedly fired in the incident. Several police agencies assisted in the search for Watts which lasted several hours.
