A pursuit that spanned two counties resulted in the arrest of two suspects on drug charges.
According to the Starke County Sheriff’s Office, deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a green-colored Ford Focus Monday, May 5 at 12:15 a.m. CT in the area of 1025 E. and 50 N. The vehicle failed to yield and a pursuit was initiated which led officers through portions of Starke County and Marshall County, according to the report.
Police say items were being discarded throughout the pursuit. Deputies attempted to deploy stop sticks or tire deflation devices, but the driver reportedly attempted to elude deputies by stopping in the middle of the roadway and turning the opposite direction.
The pursuit came to an end in the area of 300 N. and 950 E. when the suspect struck a deputy’s vehicle, according to the report. At that point, the driver, 30-year-old Jordan Hahn, of Plymouth, and the passenger, 29-year-old Jace Erikson, of Rochester, were taken into custody.
A semiautomatic sporting rifle was reportedly located in the back seat which police say was set to “fire.” Suspected marijuana was located in the vehicle which weighed approximately 4.140 grams. Deputies reviewed their in-car dash-cam systems and were able to locate a suspected methamphetamine pipe. Deputies also located a semiautomatic handgun that was reportedly discarded.
Hahn was arrested and booked into the Starke County Justice Center on preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement as Level 5 and Level 6 Felony counts, and misdemeanor charges of possession of marijuana, and criminal recklessness.
Erikson was arrested and booked into the Starke County Justice Center on preliminary charges of unlawful possession of a firearm by serious violent felon as a Level 4 Felony and resisting law enforcement as a Level 6 Felony, and misdemeanor charges of possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.
Formal charges were requested and filed by the Starke County Prosecutor. Both subjects remain in custody with a $50,000 cash bond.
The Starke County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, Knox City Police Department, and Howard’s Towing.
Suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
