A Demotte man is facing multiple charges after reportedly attempting to evade Knox City Police officers Saturday evening.
According to Knox City Police Chief Harold Smith, shortly before 11 p.m. on Saturday, November 16th, Officer Patrick McKee attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a 2003 Red Mercury Sable for a traffic violation in the area of Culver Road and East Street.
Although Officer McKee activated his red and blue emergency lights, indicating that the vehicle should pull over on Heaton Street, just north of Henry Drive, southbound, the driver allegedly failed to comply and accelerated in speed.
Officer McKee radioed dispatch, advising that he was in pursuit. The vehicle reportedly continued southbound on Highway 35 and then turned west down Mae Delano Drive. The road is adjacent to the Bowling alley and is a dead end.
Chief Smith reports that the driver then drove through a yard at 3795 E. Mae Delano Drive, jumped out of the still-moving vehicle and fled into a wooded area south of the property. The vehicle continued moving through the yard until it came into contact with a parked lawn mower, at which point it stopped.
Photo Source: Starke County Jail Roster
Smith continued, stating that officers quickly set up a perimeter in the area and Sergeant Chad Dulin and his K9 partner O’Neill were contacted to assist with locating the driver who apparently fled.
Once on the scene, K9 O’Neill began to track the suspect and was able to locate the driver who was hiding in a field approximately 80 yards south of the vehicle yards, according to Chief Smith’s report.
The driver, identified as 27-year-old Anthony Gann, of Demotte, was taken into custody at that time.
Gann was charged with Resisting Law Enforcement, Reckless Driving, Battery on a Public Safety Official, Posession of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Posessin of a Syringe, Posession of Marijuana, and Maintaining a Common Nuisance.
Readers are reminded that alleged suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
